$1.7m Police boat is barely used
By Matthew Taylor
Public Safety Minister David Burch says the Bermuda Regiment could be drafted in to boost efforts by Marine Police to patrol Bermuda's waters.
The news comes after reports that the $1.7 million-plus MV Guardian had been seldom out since arriving in Bermuda.
Asked if that was because of understaffing, Sen. Burch said: "I don't believe that is the case. It doesn't go out very often because there is no requirement for it to. They use the smaller boats."
Asked if the MV Guardian had been money well spent, Sen. Burch said: "It wasn't a decision that I made. I think it could be better used and utilised.
"I think we will get to that as we look to expand the role of the Regiment and look to incorporate some soldiers in the manning of patrolling the waters of Bermuda generally."
However, The Royal Gazette understands the boat has been out less than two days a month since arriving in October 2006 for a number of reasons, including officers not being comfortable using the large vessel because of lack of training.
Last month the MV Guardian suffered minor damage to its propeller after running aground near Daniel's Head while attempting to rescue a yacht, amid claims that recovery operations can easily be contracted out to private boat operators.
And while the four-man craft can travel long distances, it's thought the prohibitive overtime costs and current manpower strength of the marine section made regular long-range drug patrols difficult to mount.
In the first five months of this year the unit has been depleted to a handful of officers as Police were redeployed to boost Operation Safer Streets, despite the Marine Section having a budgeted staff compliment of 14, which is due to go up to 17 this year.
Police had researched the purchase of a new boat for four years and top brass had travelled several times to Australia before buying the 54-foot craft — which can travel 200 nautical miles out to sea.
But its effectiveness in drug interdiction has been questioned as it is a fixed-hull and cannot come alongside another fixed hull without risking sinking one or both craft. A small inflatable was then put on the boat but Police are reluctant to use it in rough seas typical further out to sea.
Mechanical troubles were cropping up soon after it arrived with problems with the steering and air conditioning.
This newspaper understands the boat has been subject to mould and other mechanical problems because it has not been used enough. Police have never revealed the final cost of the $1.7 million budgeted boat.
