HomeMarine 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
Coast Watch Wales
Coast Watch Wales is an initiative designed to enhance the security of the Welsh coast line and identify both vessels and individuals engaged in suspicious maritime and coastal based activity. Find out more at coastwatchwales.gov.uk
We do not ask you to police the waterway or challenge people, but with local knowledge you are most likely to notice changes or suspicious activity. Local knowledge has proved invaluable in the past, which has resulted in some large drugs finds and prevented crimes on the main land in our locality. Please visit the all Wales Coast Watch website for more information.
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.
Contact Us
In the event of an emergency dial 999
Telephone
Police Marine Unit dial 101
Your local police station dial 101
Customs Drugs Line dial 0800 595000
Crimestoppers dial 0800 555111
Marine Unit e-mail: MarineUnit@Dyfed-Powys.pnn.police.uk
Or via coastwatchwales.gov.uk website.