THE AUSTRALIAN Federal Police has commissioned a new vessel to operate in Sydney Harbour.
The purpose-built, 11-metre boat is the second AFP vessel to enter service in the harbour. The first is a 9.5-metre boat leased from ACT Policing.
The new boat was officially named AFP10 at a ceremony on 8 February. AFP expects it to enter service in the coming week.
AFP Superintendent protection operations Mark Baron expects the new boat to allow for a timely security response at AFP-designated locations in Sydney harbour.
“Our officers are currently undergoing deckhand and coxswain training boosting the number of existing AFP members who are qualified to pilot and crew our watercraft,” Superintendent Baron said.
“The new vessels add an exciting element to our protective service capabilities and really extend the breadth of work that our [protective service officers] can expect to face in their day-to-day roles.”
The AFP’s protective service officers plan to use AFP10 to maintain security presence at Sydney’s Kirribilli House, Admiralty House and the Garden Island Defence Precinct.
The protective service officers are trained to deter, detect and respond to criminal and national security threats.
