15 Sep 2010

New police launch commissioned

10:43 am on 15 September 2010

A new police launch, the Lady Elizabeth IV, was commissioned in Wellington harbour on Wednesday morning by Police Minister Judith Collins.

Police say the new Lady Liz is a state of the art, 18.5 metre catamaran that will save lives.

She's able to take eight crew on patrol for up to a week without needing to restock or refuel.

She has a range of 450 nautical miles from Wellington harbour.

The Lady Liz will mainly be used for search and rescue, but will also have a role supporting Customs, Fisheries, the Department of Conservation and Maritime New Zealand.

The Lady Elizabeth III was 21 years old.