The Metropolitan Police have a long stranding role keeping the River Thames safe and secure with the Marine Policing Unit (MPU) based at Wapping Police Station alongside the River Thames where they base their fleet and have a large maintenance facility.
Commencing in January 2022 the MPU began to receive five new vessels to replace their existing fleet of fast patrol vessels (FPV) and a replacement Command & Control Logistics (CCL) vessel.
The new type selected was the TARGA 32 (replacing TARGA 31s) for the FPVs and a replacement TARGA 37 for their Command & Control / Logistics Support. The following table lists the new vessels in commissioning order.
| name | mps code | role | delivery date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sir Robert Peel III | MP9 | FPV | Jan 2022 |  |
| Gabriel Franks III | MP3 | FPV | Spring 2022 |  |
| Nina McKay III | MP4 | FPV | Aug 2022 |  |
| John Harriott V | MP7 | FPV | Summer 2022 |  |
| Peter Kruger | MP15 | CCL | Nov 2022 |  |
| Tim Ruprecht | MP2 | FPV | Mar 2023 |  |
The following video clip shows PETER KRUGER MP15, the new Targa 37, operating on the Thames.
In a slight variation to the previous naming practice the final two new vessels are named in memoriam of Officers that have passed but not in the line of duty. There also seems to have been a more random allocation of MPS Codes, in part due to the fact that at times both the old and new vessels were operational at the same time.
Towards the end of March 2023 the new MP2 vessel began to appear on the regular Thames patrol and to attend callouts as the rollout programme completed – it even came to have a look at me!!
The unit also operate a smaller vessel called Robin Locker MP8 which is more suited to patrolling the Upper District of the the Thames and the tributaries that join the main river.
Also in the MPU fleet are a number of Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) of 3 different sizes – these are used for a variety of support, patrol and tactical roles. Some of these vessels are also due to be replaced in the near future.
A recent acquisition by the MPU is a quantity of Zodiac Milpro Inflatable Boats which can be deployed to any inland waterway area – some of these were in use during a recent training exercise in the Royal Docks.
The previous fleet of one CCL vessel and FPVs is detailed below:
| NAME | MPS CODE | |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Colquhoun II | MP1 |  |
| John Harriott IV | MP2 |  |
| Gabrielle Franks II | MP3 |  |
| Sir Robert Peel II | MP4 |  |
| Nina MacKay II | MP7 |  |
| Thames Reserve | MP9 |  |
Footnote: as of September 2023 MP1 Patrick Colquhoun II is still in operational service, having recently been based in the Royal Docks in support of DSEi 2023 and also undertaking training out on the Thames.
Dock, Lock and River Blog (#dlr_blog) 