The police vessels are responsible for policing hundreds of kilometres of Australia’s coastline and waterways. The organisation’s vessels collaborate to provide 24/7 patrol service, and support in various tasks such as search & rescue, law enforcement, border control, maritime safety.
When it came time to update and expand the Water Police’s fleet with three new vessels, the law enforcement group sought the latest in marine commercial propulsion system innovation with its partners, Norman R Wright & Sons a well-known Australian boat designer / builder and Seamech, a Volvo Penta distributing dealer with a 20-year history of partnership.
The two companies collaborated to design a new police vessel that could meet the stringent speed, range and size requirements of modern marine law enforcement. The boats needed to be under 12 meters and possess as many cutting-edge features as possible for the size class. The navigation and propulsion systems needed to excel in various water depths and weather conditions for demanding water rescue operations.
The companies chose the Volvo Penta D6-IPS 500 inboard performance system for its significant advantages in performance, efficiency and maneuverability. It features an in-line, 6-cylinder D6 engine that generates up to 280 kW (380 hp) crankshaft power and 269 kW (366 hp) propshaft power at 3,500 rpm. It relies on a 5.5-litre common rail injection system, complete with turbo and compressor with charge air cooler. In addition to diesel, the combustion engine can also utilise HVO100 fuel.
Volvo Penta Electronic Vessel Control (EVC), serves as the vessel’s co-captain, overseeing and coordinating the intricate dance between engines, transmissions, interceptors and controls. The police vessels are equipped with features such as auto trim interceptors, Joystick Docking and Dynamic Positioning System, which were enticing features allowing the vessels to perform their duties.
“The Volvo Penta IPS helm-to-propeller design enables maneuvuerability and joystick functionality you don’t normally get in conventional drive shaft boats. It’s a big reason why we chose Volvo Penta IPS,” said Adam Evripidou, senior naval architect at Norman R Wright & Sons.
Head-to-head testing
The boat was put through a series of tests to simulate real-world working conditions and compared directly with the outboard motor-powered vessel in similar design. During the tests, the vessel exceeded the speed requirement of 33 knots. Volvo Penta IPS also delivered lower noise and vibrations. The Volvo Penta D6 IPS-500 package is designed for lower noise and onboard comfort. A combined rubber suspension and seal absorb propulsion forces and vibrations.
“During the trial, Volvo Penta IPS delivered improved performance and efficiency benefits over the competition,” Evripidou said. “At a cruise speed of 20 knots, the heavier Volvo Penta IPS powered boat with 90hp less, showed significant efficiency gains to the outboard powered vessel.”
On patrol
The first of three Volvo Penta IPS-powered powered police vessels has clocked more than 1300 operational hours patrolling Australian waters, since deployment just eight months ago and has become the number one preferred vessel within the New South Wales fleet.
Evripidou says the vessel has received positive feedback for its versatility and performance with the police sharing it can accomplish search and rescue in five-meter waves, something that would be challenging for the larger vessels of the fleet. The Volvo Penta D6-IPS 500 has exceeded the project’s initial performance requirements, and its intelligent features have made piloting a more intuitive experience.
The success of these Volvo Penta IPS-powered police vessels has led Norman R. Wright & Sons to consider the value of the technology across its commercial range.
“For us, the Volvo Penta IPS system has transformed our approach to vessel design and construction. We would certainly consider Volvo Penta for future boat design,” Evripidou said. “The design of Volvo Penta IPS allows for a compact, robust, and durable package that is geared towards performance and long-term resiliency.”
At the end of February 2025, the three vessels were officially commissioned into service at a special ceremony at the Marine Area Command. During the event, the vessels – Sea Hawk, Sea Dragon, and Sea Eagle – were blessed and launched by the minister for police and counter-terrorism, the commissioner and the marine area command crime manager.
