VESSEL REVIEW | AFP10 – Australian Federal Police acquires locally-built patrol RIB

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) recently commenced operational sailings of a new enclosed cabin, rigid inflatable boat (RIB) supplied by The Whiskey Project Group, the partnership formed by New South Wales boatbuilder Yamba Welding and Engineering (YWE) and New Zealand-based naval architecture firm Naiad Design.

The nine-tonne, 11.3-metre-long AFP10 is the second AFP boat to enter service in Sydney Harbour, joining a 9.5-metre-long boat leased from ACT Policing and brought into service in April 2021.

Key features of the new RIB include a Raymarine radar, Intellian electronics, a Teledyne FLIR rotating thermal camera mounted on a folding mast, and handrails on the wheelhouse roof to ensure crew safety when walking on the open deck. The placement of the handrails also allows transfers to other vessels to be made through any point along the deck perimeter, hence eliminating the need for the boat need not be oriented in a certain direction for the crew to conduct boardings and inspections.

The wheelhouse is fitted with a reverse-raked windscreen to improve visibility from the helm station and two roof-mounted solar panels. The interior is kept comfortable with the help of two Webasto rooftop air conditioners.

Power for the RIB is provided by two Yamaha outboard engines.

AFP10 will be used by federal police Protective Services Officers (PSOs) maintaining a security presence in Sydney Harbour, particularly at Kirribilli House, Admiralty House, and the Garden Island Defence Precinct.

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