In most port cities, the police patrol the waterways in addition to the mean streets of town; Vancouver is one of those cities. Interestingly, policing the water has many parallels to policing the roads. There are speed limits to enforce, and reckless and impaired drivers to nab. I spent time with the Vancouver Police Marine Unit and had an opportunity to see the work firsthand.
The Marine Unit has several boats in their fleet – including the 30-foot, custom-built, aluminum R.G. McBeath – that facilitate responding to crime as well as water-based rescues. Speed and agility are factors for these roles, and the McBeath is up to the task with twin diesels that propel it beyond 30-knots per hour.
Many people aren’t aware that marine licenses are required in most provinces for the operation of motorized vessels beyond a certain size and power. Also, they may not realize that, just like the rules of the road, there are rules of the water, and if not properly adhered to, tickets can be issued and arrests made – in particular arrests for the impaired operation of a motor vessel.
In addition to keeping a lid on disorderly marine activity, the water-borne officers seek out criminals that prey upon unoccupied boats in marinas and drydocks. These crooks work waterside using small boats to float undetected to and from their crime scenes.
The mandate of marine cops includes much more than the safe operation of watercraft and the arrest of criminals; they also focus on terrorism, human smuggling, drug importation and many other threats to society.
The Marine Unit has several boats in their fleet – including the 30-foot, custom-built, aluminum R.G. McBeath – that facilitate responding to crime as well as water-based rescues. Speed and agility are factors for these roles, and the McBeath is up to the task with twin diesels that propel it beyond 30-knots per hour.
Many people aren’t aware that marine licenses are required in most provinces for the operation of motorized vessels beyond a certain size and power. Also, they may not realize that, just like the rules of the road, there are rules of the water, and if not properly adhered to, tickets can be issued and arrests made – in particular arrests for the impaired operation of a motor vessel.
In addition to keeping a lid on disorderly marine activity, the water-borne officers seek out criminals that prey upon unoccupied boats in marinas and drydocks. These crooks work waterside using small boats to float undetected to and from their crime scenes.
The mandate of marine cops includes much more than the safe operation of watercraft and the arrest of criminals; they also focus on terrorism, human smuggling, drug importation and many other threats to society.
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