New police boats honour Indigenous connection

ACT Policing officially launched two new boats on Lake Burley Griffin today, improving its ability to police Canberra’s lakes and waterways.  

Chief Police Officer Justine Saunders said it was an important day for ACT Policing and the local Indigenous community.

“We are proud the new vessels will have names that recognise the ongoing partnership between ACT Policing and the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community,” Assistant Commissioner Saunders said.  

“The names Ngunnawal and Yhuuramulun represent the people and pathways of our local indigenous communities.

“They are symbols of our commitment to continue to build the relationship between police and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who call Canberra home.

“Importantly, these two boats will increase the responsiveness of our Maritime officers. Their state of the art equipment will help keep lake users safe.”

Ngunnawal is 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.

The boat is also designed for search and rescue with the ability to tow vessels in distress.

Yhuuramulun is a custom built, rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) that can be transported by road to other ACT waterways.

The boats were purchased with capital funding from the ACT Government’s existing policing budget.

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 6264 9460, act-police-media@afp.gov.au