The New Hampshire Marine Patrol is a division of the NH Department of Safety. NHMP has jurisdiction on any New Hampshire water body 10 acres (40,000 m2) or more (over 1,300 in the state), 3,200 miles (5,100 km) of river, and approximately 18 miles (29 km) of coastline (North to South, not including interior harbors, bays, & rivers) of the Atlantic Ocean. NHMP headquarters is located in Gilford, New Hampshire in Glendale Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee. HQ houses a number of part-time police officers, full-time police officers, communications personnel, and civilian employees. Marine Patrol operates year-round, with year-round patrols in the seacoast area and limited patrols on lakes during the "off season" (spring, fall, and winter) due to low boating activity and ice.
Contents
The NHMP Bureau is essentially split into three separate patrol divisions:
Duties of NHMP
Vessels
NHMP uses a variety of different vessels for different tasks/patrol areas. The department's most recognizable/popular patrol boat is the Ambar 8 meter patrol boat, a 24-foot (7.3 m) aluminum RIB (Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boat). These vessels are equipped with state-of-the-art GPS & radar, along with twin 200 hp (150 kW) engines. Weighing in at roughly only 5,000 lb (2,300 kg), these patrol boats are capable of relatively quick maneuvers, and high speeds for a boat of its size.