Mercury: Police rescue boat banned
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Police sources have long warned lives could be lost in a serious search and rescue situation given the Fortescue was supposed to be the jewel in Tasmania Police’s marine fleet.
Instead, the PV Vigilant and the PV Van Diemen carry the main burden of policing the state’s waters and responding to sea rescues.
The police department must now scrap the boat and write it off as a disaster, or spend even more money trying to get it up to survey standard.
The third option would be to sell it on the private market but given its reputation that could prove very difficult.
A Legislative Council inquiry into the Fortescue saga has been delayed by legal proceedings but the Mercury understands Commissioner Darren Hine has recently advised the council these have been finalised.
The police union says there is no excuse for allowing the situation to continue now the boat is officially useless.
Read the full Zara Dawtrey article here
• Meanwhile there have been a number of observations on this article, She’s Apples for Mr Plod, here, published 04.02.11 1:34 am
For example, Ross, Comment 13:
The PV Fortescue has been a triumph compared to this project. Less money wasted on the Fortescue as well.
There has been little or nothing in mainstream media on this (apparently questionable) acquisition; and little giving the other wide of the story …
Politicians have been contacted … stay tuned.
