The UK Border Agency's fleet of cutters
This page explains how the UK Border Agency uses fast patrol boats called 'cutters' to patrol the United Kingdom border and protect against terrorism and criminality.
The UK Border Agency is the United Kingdom's frontline defence against some of today's most organised and dangerous criminals. It uses the latest equipment and technology to detect prohibited goods and people even before they reach the United Kingdom border.
As an island nation, the United Kingdom has more than 10,000 miles of rugged coastline and thousands of hidden bays and coves. At its narrowest point, only 22 miles separate the United Kingdom from mainland Europe through the Straits of Dover. This presents a major opportunity for criminals intent on smuggling people and illegal goods, such as drugs or weapons, across the Channel.
The Agency's fleet of five cutters protects the border and maintains a 24-hour watch over United Kingdom waters. These fast patrol vessels are the only non-military maritime force providing a national, year-round, all-weather surveillance and interception capability to protect United Kingdom interests from the growing threat of terrorism and criminality.
Cutters operate mainly around the coast, responding to intelligence or patrolling high-risk areas. They have also been deployed as far east as the Baltic and as far south as the Mediterranean, working with partner organisations and authorities to track down sea-borne smuggling threats.
The core of the fleet is the Stan Patrol 4207 vessel, built by Damen Shipyards in Holland. At 42 metres long and with a top speed of more than 26 knots, this vessel boasts sophisticated surveillance and navigation equipment. It can accommodate up to 16 crew and can remain at sea for long periods in heavy weather conditions.
The fleet currently consists of:
- HMC Valiant - Damen Stan Patrol 4207, commissioned 2004
- HMC Vigilant - Damen Stan Patrol 4207, commissioned 2003
- HMC Searcher - Damen Stan Patrol 4207, commissioned 2002
- HMC Seeker - Damen Stan Patrol 4207, commissioned 2001
- HMC Sentinel - Vosper Thorneycroft Island Class, Commissioned 1993
Each cutter can deploy a 7.4 metre rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB), driven by a diesel-powered water jet, for boarding operations from a purpose-built slipway in the stern. This highly adaptable craft is capable of patrolling silently in a shallow coastal inlet or taking part in a high-speed pursuit.
The Agency has 10 cutter crews comprising 120 personnel; each is led by a Cutter Commander and operates a duty pattern of two weeks on, two weeks off. This means that five fully operational cutters are available for sea at 30 minutes' notice, 24 hours a day, all year round.
Detecting and preventing illegal goods and immigrants crossing the Channel are the long-established duties for which the cutter fleet has been known for hundreds of years. Back when the boats were armed with cannons, they were always on the lookout for bootleggers returning from mainland Europe with barrels of wine and brandy.
These traditional missions are as important today as they were in past, and the Agency's current generation of cutters will continue to provide an outstanding service to accomplish them.