Devon & Cornwall Police have officially taken delivery of ‘Neptune’, a powerful new marine patrol vessel custom-built by Isle of Wight boatbuilder Cheetah Marine.
Unveiled during a handover event in Plymouth last week, the bespoke 11.5m twin-hull catamaran is designed to support a wide range of maritime law enforcement.
The vessel forms part of the Home Office’s programme to combat serious and organised crime, providing critical support to the force’s Marine Policing and Underwater Search Unit.
Custom-designed for multi-role deployment, the catamaran is powered by twin 350hp Yamaha outboards, delivering speeds over 40 knots with enhanced fuel efficiency and precise manoeuvrability via the Helm Master EX system. Built to Police Boat Code Category B and MCA Category 2 standards, it seats up to 10 personnel and has a range of 180 nautical miles.
Advanced features include state-of-the-art marine electronics, a stabilised infra-red HD camera, underwater drone capabilities, and ROV deployment support, enabling extended operations in challenging conditions and high-risk scenarios.
Bas Edmonds, Managing Director at Cheetah Marine, says:
“We are immensely proud to hand over this catamaran to Devon & Cornwall Police. Strength, reliability, and safety were at the heart of every decision. Working closely with the force’s team allowed us to tailor every aspect to meet their unique operational needs.
“We hope that the Devon and Cornwall Police will be able to make the most of their Cheetah catamaran over the coming years and Cheetah Marine will be forever proud in supporting the Devon and Cornwall Police in achieving their objectives.”
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Chief Constable James Vaughan has emphasised Neptune’s role as an important step forward in protecting the coastline and local communities:
“The boat will give us much greater visibility on the water, and help to deter helping all manner of anti-social behaviour and criminality including organised immigration crime. That could be anything from the theft of lobster pots right up to counter-terrorism operations and the activities of organised criminal gangs smuggling drugs or people.”
This delivery marks the fourth vessel Cheetah Marine has supplied to UK police forces, further cementing the company’s reputation as a trusted provider of high-performance, purpose-built craft for law enforcement and emergency services.
They must be speeding in the sea in Devon and Cornwall
Lol