Two new ACT Policing boats have been officially launched on Lake Burley Griffin.
Outgoing Chief Police Officer, Assistant Commissioner Justine Saunders said it was an important day for ACT Policing and the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community as the new vessels had been given names recognising the ongoing partnership between ACT Policing and the Indigenous community.
“The names Ngunnawal and Yhuuramulun represent the people and pathways of our local Indigenous communities,” Assistant Commissioner Saunders said.
She said the naming of the boats were symbols of ACT Policing’s commitment to continue to build the relationship between police and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live in Canberra.
“Importantly, these two boats will increase the responsiveness of our Maritime Officers,” she said.
“Their state-of-the-art equipment will help keep lake users safe.”
She said Ngunnawal was a general purpose patrol boat.
“It is faster than its predecessor, allowing quicker access to all parts of the lake and improved response times during water rescue operations or emergency evacuations.”
Yhuuramulun was a custom built, rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) that could be transported by road to other ACT waterways.
Assistant Commissioner Saunders said the boats were purchased with capital funding from the ACT’s policing budget.
