Tasmania Police have put their historic wooden patrol boat, PV Vigilant, up for sale after 55 years on the water.
The 16-metre vessel is being retired from frontline duties and sold through a public tender run by Hobart broker Derwent Boat Sales.
Vigilant was built from Tasmanian Huon pine by shipwright Ray Kemp at Woodbridge and joined the police fleet in 1971 as an ocean rescue launch.
It is the only timber police boat still operating in Australia and was added to the Australian Register of Historic Vessels in 2009.
Acting Commander Nikala Parsons said Vigilant had served Tasmania with distinction.
“PV Vigilant is one of Tasmania’s most recognised maritime vessels and has played a significant role in our maritime history, faithfully serving generations of Tasmanians since 1971,” she said.
“Very few vessels remain in service for as long and fewer still earn the affection and respect that Vigilant has garnered throughout her operational life.”
Parsons said the time had come for Vigilant to step back as police modernised their marine fleet.
Over more than five decades, the boat has been involved in some of Tasmania’s biggest maritime events.
It joined the search for the cargo ship Blythe Star after it was lost off South West Cape in 1973 and later served as a dive support boat following the Tasman Bridge collapse in 1975.
It has also spent years responding to storms, rescues and other emergencies, as well as carrying out multi-day patrols along Tasmania’s south-west and east coasts.
Parsons said the tender process would give prospective buyers a chance to explain what they planned to do with the vessel.
“Throughout her distinguished career, Vigilant has answered the call when Tasmanians needed help at sea,” she said.
“While she is now retiring from active police service, her voyage is not over and we hope to find Vigilant a new chapter with an owner who understands they are becoming the custodian of a significant part of Tasmania’s maritime story.”
Parsons thanked the officers, crew and community members who had been part of the boat’s journey.
The Police Association of Tasmania raised concerns about Vigilant’s future in April, saying it had not been consulted about a possible sale.
It said the best outcome would be for the boat to stay in Tasmania, with money from the sale going back into frontline marine operations.
