The Bermuda Police Service donated a boat and spare parts valued at $50,000, to the Bermuda Regiment yesterday.

The Arctic 24-foot rigid inflatable boat (RIB) will help the Bermuda Regiment's Boat Troop patrol waters and aid them in search and rescue missions.

National Security Minister David Burch said the vessel would also allow the Regiment to join police for general patrols and special events like Cup Match and Non-Mariners Race.

"The Boat Troop has provided manpower every Saturday, Sunday and [on] public holidays [since July] which has increased patrol presence on the water dramatically during peak periods of boating use by the general public.

"Additionally, the Boat Troop has been involved in a number of boating incidents, including the successful search and rescue of a 17-year-old boy who flipped his hobby cat off the North Shore during Cup Match. [He] was eventually found floating off the oil docks in St. George's at 10pm at night," Senator Burch said.

Lieutenant Colonel Brian Gonsalves said the Regiment was "very grateful" to the Bermuda Police Service for the gift.

"This [spirit of giving] is not new because two of the RIBs we currently have were already old police boats. The boat needs some work before we can make it operational, but the good news is we already have experts in-house that can do it."

The Regiment's Boat Troop has been trained to use all police boats and are taught about best practices for using the RIB, two Boston Whalers and the 52-foot patrol vessel MV Guardian.

Sen Burch said: "The Boat Troop will continue to patrol jointly with the Police Marine Unit as required. I do not envisage the role of the Bermuda Regiment Boat Troop ending with this one vessel. Our ultimate aim is to see our borders fully protected and patrolled 24/7 jointly by police and Regiment.

"[This] handover is a classic example of joined up Government, and more importantly, joined up ministry. I expect we shall have more examples of this cross ministry cooperation to share going forward."