The 36-foot vessel, built in 1978, has been replaced by a 48-foot offshore launch donated to Bermuda by the US Drug Enforcement Agency.

With the ability to travel at speeds of up to 25 to 28 knots and stay at sea for several days, the new launch will act as a main platform for drug interdiction.

The old Blue Heron was considered too small and unsafe for Police operations.

But a Marine Police spokesman said it was generally a "sound'' boat.

The boat, which has a 12-foot beam, a three-foot draft, and a 320 hp engine, is being sold.

Tenders are invited inclusive of Customs duty (55 percent of purchase price), Government said in a notice published yesterday in the Official Gazette.