New Hampshire Marine Patrol
Encyclopedia
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 (40,468.6 m²) or more (over 1,300 in the state), 3200 miles (5,149.9 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.
The NHMP Bureau is essentially split into three separate patrol divisions:
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 feet (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 engines. Weighing in at roughly only 5000 lb (2,268 kg), these patrol boats are capable of relatively quick maneuvers, and high speeds for a boat of its size.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
water body 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) or more (over 1,300 in the state), 3200 miles (5,149.9 km) of river, and approximately 18 miles (29 km) of coastline (North to South, not including interior harbors, bays, & rivers) of the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
. NHMP headquarters is located in Gilford, New Hampshire
Gilford, New Hampshire
Gilford is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 7,126 at the 2010 census. Situated on Lake Winnipesaukee, Gilford is home to Governors Island, Ellacoya State Beach, Belknap Mountain State Forest, Gunstock Mountain Ski Resort, and Meadowbrook U.S...
in Glendale Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee
Lake Winnipesaukee
Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. It is approximately long and from wide , covering — when Paugus Bay is included—with a maximum depth of ....
. 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.
The NHMP Bureau is essentially split into three separate patrol divisions:
- Winnipesaukee Division
- Field Division
- Coastal Division
Duties of NHMP
- Patrol assigned areas using State patrol boats
- Respond to emergencies and other calls for assistance
- Enforce State boating and criminal laws
- Investigate boating accidents and drownings
- Provide seacoast security
- Conduct inspections of commercial boats and testing of commercial boat operators
- Conduct boating safety education classes
- Install, maintain, and remove State marine aids to navigation (over 5,000 in the state)
- Conduct criminal investigations and generate cases for prosecution
- Interact with other law enforcement and safety agencies
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 feet (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 engines. Weighing in at roughly only 5000 lb (2,268 kg), these patrol boats are capable of relatively quick maneuvers, and high speeds for a boat of its size.
Rank structure/Insignia
| Title | Insignia |
|---|---|
| Marine Patrol Officer Trainee | |
| Marine Patrol Officer | |
| Marine Patrol Officer II | |
| District Supervisor |  |
| Sergeant |  |
| Lieutenant |  |
| Captain | |