Cheetah Marine Delivers High-Speed Patrol Vessel to Devon & Cornwall Police
by RS Marine Group 2 Oct 09:01 PDT
Cheetah Marine Police Boat Handover © Cheetah Marine
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, the bespoke 11.2m 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.
Chief Constable James Vaughan emphasised the 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."
Next-Generation Features for Coastal Operations
The bespoke power catamaran was custom designed with advanced features. Powered by twin 350hp Yamaha outboard engines, Neptune offers exceptional speed and fuel efficiency, reaching top speeds of over 40 knots. Equipped with Yamaha's advanced Helm Master EX system, it delivers unmatched manoeuvrability - critical in high-stakes, often unpredictable operational environments.
The Cheetah powercat meets Police Boat Code Category B and MCA Category 2 standards, with a minimum range of 180 nautical miles and seating for up to 10 personnel. Designed for multi-role deployment, it supports; routine and high-risk marine patrols, diving operations and underwater search, deployment of ROVs (remotely operated underwater vehicles).
Fitted with state-of-the-art marine electronics, Neptune includes a long-range stabilised infra-red HD camera and underwater drone capabilities to enhance search and evidence-gathering operations. It is larger and more stable than previous boats, allowing the force to stay at sea longer and operate more safely in adverse weather and extreme conditions.
Tailored Design by Cheetah Marine
Bas Edmonds, Managing Director at Cheetah Marine, noted the collaborative design process behind Neptune: "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."
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.
Established on the Isle of Wight, Cheetah Marine is a leading UK manufacturer of custom-built catamarans, known for innovation, safety, and performance. Their vessels are used worldwide across fisheries, enforcement, rescue, and research sectors.
Bas added: "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."
Supporting Safer Communities
Neptune's operational duties will include coastal patrols, rapid response to maritime incidents, protection of historical wreck sites, and partnership operations with agencies such as HM Coastguard and the RNLI.
Chief Constable Vaughan emphasized the vessel's wider role: "The acquisition of Neptune, thanks to government funding, has enabled us to take an important step forward in our marine capability and in protecting our coastline and communities."