Marine Unit

About the Unit

History

The Dyfed-Powys Police Marine Unit was established in 1999 to target Irish and International Terrorism around our coast and to assist in the prevention and detection of serious and organised crime in the Maritime environment around the Force.

Members and Training

The unit consists of a Sergeant and six Constables. All members of the unit have to successfully complete an off-shore RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) course and a sea survival course.

Where We Patrol

The unit is based on the Milford Haven Waterway, the largest port in Wales and third largest in the UK. Most of our time is spent monitoring and examining vessels visiting this important and strategic port.

The unit has the capability of being on the Haven waterway within ten minutes from the initial call, and can operate up to twelve miles from land.

What We Do

We provide a highly visible police presence on the water to ensure that support from and access to the police is provided to all users of the waterway.

We regularly board large and small vessels both moored and at sea, with the intention of detecting and disrupting potential terrorist related activity, providing security advice and preventing crime. We liaise with others in the marine industry, who also acts as our eyes and ears

Vessels

We have two RHIBs (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats): a Delta 6 metre call-sign M33 and a Humber 8 metre call-sign M88.

What We Can Do For You

We are to be regarded as a Neighbourhood Policing Team on the water. We can give advice on maritime security; provide information and displays at local maritime based events and of course investigate suspicious activity on the water.

If you suspect that there is something not right on or near the water, or you witness a crime occurring on the water, please contact us.

You Can Be Our Eyes and Ears on the Water

Things you can look for

• Crew acting in a suspicious manner
• Over crewed vessels or crew inexperienced or inappropriately dressed.
• Craft anchored or off loading items in quiet coves etc.
• Goods being transferred between vessels at sea
• Small craft approaching large vessels
• Vessels travelling at night with no navigation lights
• Signalling between vessels at sea and the coastline
• Unknown diving activity
• Buoys in unfamiliar or unusual places

This is not a definitive list, but it gives you an idea of what you can watch out for.