The Queensland Police Service have commissioned a long and fine list of vessels for use by the Water Police. In 1893 the Annual Report to the Commissioner of Police suggested “this branch of the Force would be more effective if the small boat presently used be replaced by a smart steam launch”. Since those early years more than 70 vessels have been purchased by the Queensland Police Service, with many named in honour of police officers tragically killed in the course of their duties.
The following are some of our favourites;
Image No. PM0144 Courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum
The Water Police Vessel ‘VEDETTE II’ was launched on 15th April 1954 for use in Brisbane. This image was taken on the Brisbane River, c1964. Senior Sergeant Alec Powe is standing on the prow, other officers unknown. Both this vessel, and the ‘VEDETTE’ attended the capsized dredge ‘Kaptajn Nielsen’ in September 1964.
Image No. PM0253 Courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum
The Water Police speedboat ‘M.V. Rita’ was in service from 1970 to 1978, patrolling Thursday Island and then Cairns. Seen here c1974.
Image No. PM0855 Courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.
Water Police Vessel ‘N.W. BAUER’ is a 50 foot twin screw motor launch. It patrolled the coastal waters from Mooloolaba to Southport. Launched December 1976 in Brisbane, it was transferred to Townsville in 1985.
Image No. PM0814 Courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum
This vessel was originally named the ‘D.W. DOWLING’ and built for the Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service in 1970. It became surplus to requirements, recommissioned to the Water Police, Cairns in 1988 and renamed the ‘M.L. LOW’.
Image No. PM1147 Courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum
Launched in Brisbane in 1992 the 14.75 metre ‘BRETT T. HANDRAN’ was powered by twin 420 hp Detroit 6v92 series motors and stationed at the Brisbane Water Police.
Image No. PM3585 Courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum
The ‘LYLE M. HOEY IV’ was one of three 22 metre patrol and command boats (the others BRETT T. HANDRAN II and W.CCONROY VI) commissioned by the Qld Police Service, each equipped with a high speed offshore Rigid Hull inflatable.
For further information about Police Vessels and a history of the Water Police visit: http://www.qldwaterpolice.com/index.html
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This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing.
The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane. Contact: E: museum@police.qld.gov.au
“Boats, boats and moor boats!” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence.
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