Cyprus Port and Marine Police

In 1956 a special committee, set up by the then British Colonial Government for the re-organisation of Cyprus Police, included in its report a proposal for the establishment of a Port and Marine Police in Cyprus. The new service was set up the following year equipped with seven boats. It operated as an independent Police Division with its headquarters at Famagusta and two permanent stations in Limassol and Larnaca. It also had a sub-station in Kyrenia which operated during the summer. In 1960, with the establishment of the independent Republic of Cyprus, the Port and Marine Police became a branch of the Police and the Gendarmerie. The Turkish invasion of 1974 decimated the service as its installations at Famagusta Port were destroyed and five out of its seven boats were seized by the Turkish Army. After this event, the service continued to operate but only with two boats at its stations in Larnaca and Limassol. Its headquarters were transferred from Famagusta to the old port of Limassol. ==Developments since 1974==

From 1981 to 1983, two Plascoa launches were acquired from France, equipped with one 20 mm Oerlikon L70 cannon, one 12.7 mm and two 7.62mm machine guns. One of them was deleted from the service in 1991, another in 2000–2004. In 1986, six local build Astrapi V (Fletcher Malibu) small speed boats. Later (circa 2004–2006) replaced by Novamarine rigid inflatable boats (RIBs). In 1991, two FAC-23 patrol vessels were acquired from Yugoslavia, initially equipped with one 20 mm/90 caliber cannon and two 7.62 mm machine guns, later replaced by three 12.7 mm machine guns. In 1992, five SAB-12 launches were transferred from Germany to Cyprus, without armament. These were initially equipped with one 12.7 mm and two 7.62 mm machine guns (on the forecastle, Port and Marine Police fleet were planning to receive two more patrol boats (Length - approx. 15-16 meter, Width - 4–5 meters, Speed - not less than 43 knots). In 2013, according to local press, the Port and Marine Police acquired two new police boats, that were purchased from Greece, as part of the cross-border cooperation program between the two countries. The two boats were purchased for €60m and are equipped with portable thermal scopes and other sophisticated equipment to combat various forms of organised cross-border crime such as illegal immigration and the smuggling of drugs and weapons in the area. The €48m of the total cost of the program has been funded by the EU. In december 2023, the port and marine police received 3 new craft from Croatia named "Kyrenia", "Pentadaktylos" and "Kantara" ==Administration==

Headquartered in Limassol the Port and Marine Police is administered by its Commander and Assistant Commanders. The Commander has both administrative and operational responsibility and is accountable to the Chief of Police through the Assistant Chief of Support. The Port and Marine Police includes the following offices: Message Control Centre, Registry, Stores, Accounts Office, Security Office and Operations Office. Stations The Port and Marine Police is made up of the following stations: • Latsi Port and Marine Station • Paphos Port and Marine Station • Limassol New Port Station • Limassol Marine Station • Ayios Raphael Marina Port Station • Larnaca Port and Marine Station • Larnaca Marina Port Station • Ayia Napa Marine Station • Paralimni Marine Station ==Fleet since 1980==

The Port and Marine Police Fleet at present is made up of 16 boats which can be divided into three categories according to their size, construction, capability and mission. The three categories are: ;Category A: Includes five fast sea patrol boats (F.P.B – JET) which can operate within a large radius – contiguous zone and open sea. ;Category B: Includes five patrol boats (SAB – 12) which can operate within a medium-range radius – within territorial waters. ;Category C: Includes six small inflatable speed boats (R.I.B./SP7) – mostly used close to shore. ==See also==