New police boat inaugurated;
Credit: Police Grand Ducale
On Thursday 6 June 2024, the new police boat in service on the Moselle was officially inaugurated in the presence of Luxembourg's Minister of Internal Affairs, Léon Gloden, the mayor of the town of Grevenmacher, Monique Hermes, and numerous guests.
Minister Gloden welcomed the arrival of the new police boat, emphasising the need for modern equipment: “A modern police force rests on three pillars: sufficient numbers of staff, modern equipment and adequate infrastructure. Thus, the new boat is part of the government's desire to ensure that the Police have adequate means to carry out their river missions, particularly also within the framework of cross-border cooperation."
The deputy regional director of the Police, Bernadette Rodrigo, presented the characteristics of the new boat as well as the missions of the Regional Road Police Service (SRPR) in terms of river policing on the Moselle.
The boat was subsequently blessed by the Chaplain General of the Force Publique, Nicolas Wenner. A plaque of Saint Michael, the patron saint of the Police, was fixed in the cabin of the boat. This blessing took place in the presence of Monique Hermes, mayor of Grevenmacher, and Philippe Schrantz, former director general of the Police.
The boat was officially named “GOLF 70” in a traditional ceremony by throwing a bottle against its hull.
The presentation of the maritime flag by the Minister of Internal Affairs to the Police, and in particular to the agents of the Central-East Regional Traffic Police Service (SRPR), who hoisted the flag on the port side, closed the ceremony.
About the new Police boat
The new boat “GOLF 70” is a Tinn-Silver brand, model 700 Cabin, which is already used by other police services. It is seven 7 metres long and 2.55 metres wide, weighing approximately 2,100 kg. The boat can accommodate up to 7 people in total and is powered by a 200 HP outboard engine. The maximum speed is around 70 km/h.
In addition to standard equipment such as a cabin with safety glass and a control console, the boat also has a radio communication system, a rotating beacon and a siren. In addition, it is also equipped with navigation and work lighting, headlights, rescue equipment and GPS sonar for searching for large objects on the river bottom.
Crew and missions
The Police boat is operated by agents of the SRPR Centre-Est, all holders of a boat license and a license for navigation radiotelephony. In collaboration with the Wasserschutzpolizei Trier, the officers participate in training courses.
The missions of the Police boat are varied. In addition to preventive patrols on the Moselle, it also intervenes when checking boats and jet skis, during security and traffic checkpoints (e.g. during state visits, sporting events or rescue missions), when searching for missing people or during support missions, e.g. from the CCGDI.
In order to optimise its use, the Police and the CGDIS will in the future have a special joint pier equipped with two cranes and a ramp allowing boats to be launched into the water. This project should be finalised towards the end of this year
