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 2 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 was a great blow for the Port and Marine Police as its installations at Famagusta Port were destroyed and five out of its seven boats were seized by the Turkish Army. After this great loss it 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
In 1981-83, two Plascoa launches were acquired from France, equipped with 1 20mm Oerlikon L70 cannon, one 12.7mm 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 small Speed Boats. Later replaced by NOVAMARINE R.I.B. boats. In 1991, two FAC-23 patrol vessels were acquired from Yugoslavia, initially equipped with 1 20mm.90cal cannon and two 7.62mm machine guns, later replaced by 3 12.7 mm machine guns. In 1992, five SAB-12 launches were transferred from Germany to Cyprus, without armament. In 1998, a single Shaldagpatrol vessel was acquired from Israel, initially equipped with 1 20mm.90cal cannon and two 12.7mm machine guns, later replaced by 3 12.7 mm machine guns. In 2004, Cyprus took delivery of two FPB 30M class patrol vessels from Cantierre Navale Vittoria. These were initially equipped with 1 12.7 mm and 2 7.62mm machine guns. In 2010, according to local press, Port and Marine Police fleet planning to receive 2 more patrol boats. 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.
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:
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 which can operate within a large radius – contiguous zone and open sea. ;Category B: Includes five patrol boats which can operate within a medium-range radius – within territorial waters. ;Category C: Includes six small inflatable speed boats – mostly used close to shore.
