Police Boat in Clyde Rescue
MOD Police boat Rhona was involved in the rescue of a capsized canoeist in the Firth of Clyde. The boat was called in by the Clyde Coastguard to assist in the rescue of a 43 year old man who had capsized and become separated from his canoe. He was lifted from the water by the Royal Navy Rescue Helicopter R177 and is now recovering well. Police boat Rhona was built by Holyhead marine Services and went into service on August 4th 2009. She is the 3rd of 6 patrol boats currentlybeing built for the MOD Police.
Representatives from Holyhead Marine Services and Amgram travelled to Belfast this week to carry out inclining trials on HMS caroline. Launched and commissioned in 1914 HMS Caroline is the second oldest ship in RN service. She is the last remaining British World War One light cruiser in service, and the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland still afloat. She now acts as a static headquarters for the Royal Naval Reserve although it is due to be decomissioned in the coming weeks.
A ceremony was held this week at HMNB Clyde to name the latest additions to the MOD police`s marine fleet. The first two 15m police boats were named “Gigha” and “Jura” after Hebridean islands off the western coast of Scotland. The vessels are the first of a total of 6 craft to be manufactured by Holyhead MArine Services Ltd for the MOD Police. After thanking all who played a part in the project, Chief Constable Steve Love then performed the traditional boat naming ceremony, in which the Chief called for fair winds, safe passage and good fortune to all who sail on the two vessels, finally pouring champagne over their bows to complete a successful occasion.
One of the most interesting boats on the floating pontoon at Seawork International 2007 will be the Holyhead Marine, 15m MoD Police Patrol Boat. This first of class boat, designed by Camarc Ltd and built by the Anglesey based yard is to serve as the next generation MoD Police craft. The new design GRP hulled vessel is also a natural for other patrol roles, the pilot boat market and other workboat applications. The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) has the largest Marine capability of any police force in the UK, with units at HM Naval Bases at Devonport, Portsmouth and Faslane on the Clyde. MDP Marine Police officers exercise constabulary powers and privileges in UK territorial waters in relation to Crown property. They escort and protect warships and submarines, both UK and international, within the Dockyard Ports.