PSNI boat joined HMS Biter off the County Antrim coast
Officers from the Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) and Tactical Support Group (TSG) today, Monday 10 March, participated in a joint training exercise alongside HMS Biter, one of the Royal Navy’s patrol vessels, just off the coast of Ballycastle.
The day began with the launch of two police boats from Ballycastle Harbour, where they rendezvoused with HMS Biter to commence a comprehensive training session.
Over the course of four hours at sea, officers engaged in a variety of exercises, including the challenging task of winching injured personnel from HMS Biter onto the police boats, as well as practicing boarding and unboarding procedures.
Despite the protective dry suits worn by all participants, the choppy conditions ensured everyone was thoroughly soaked. However, the day was deemed a resounding success, filled with valuable learning experiences, excitement, and practical challenges.
A spokesperson for Police Rural NPT expressed their gratitude to the crew of HMS Biter and the Royal Navy for providing such an invaluable opportunity.
"Our Rural NPT team covers a significant area bordering the sea, including Rathlin Island," they stated. "Therefore, training exercises like this are vital for developing new skills, honing existing ones, and strengthening the bonds between team members."
The spokesperson emphasised the importance of such collaborative training in enhancing the force's ability to respond effectively to incidents in coastal areas.
"We hope to have the opportunity to work alongside HMS Biter, or another Royal Navy vessel, again in the near future," they concluded.