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The New Hampshire Marine Patrol is a division of the New Hampshire Department of Safety. NHMP has jurisdiction on any New Hampshire water body 10 acres (40,000 m2) or more (over 1,300 in the state), 3,200 miles (5,100 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:
- 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-foot (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 (150 kW) engines. Weighing in at roughly only 5,000 lb (2,300 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 | ){kind=small} |
| Sergeant | ){kind=small} |
| Lieutenant | ){kind=small} |
| Captain | ){kind=small} |