NYPD patrol vessels are used by the New York Police Department to patrol's New York City's harbor and waterfront.[1] For security reasons the Department will not publish the size of its fleet, but, in 2010, a spokesperson acknowledged that the fleet was "substantial". In 2010 The New York Times profiled a new large fireboat, and a new police boat.
The Police Boat was built by the same shipyard that supplied patrol boats to the United States Coast Guard.[1] However, unlike the Coast Guard vessel, the Police Boat would not have a permanent mount for a machine gun.
The new vessel was propelled by water jets, and was capable of traveling at 50 knots.[1] She was 45 feet long, and had a sealed cab. It was the first police boat designed to be self-righting.
Unlike the similar Coast Guard vessels the small lounge she mounted below adn forward of her pilothouse, was equpped with a fridge and microwave for the crew to use on longer missions.[1] Her maximum range was at least 250 nautical miles.
Crew members wear special life-jackets that provide protection against small arms fire.[1]
The boats operated by the NYPD share responsibility with boats from other agencies, including the FDNY, the USCG, boats operated by the State Police, and even the Department of Corrections that has had an eleven member unit that patrols the water around New York City's big jail on Riker's Island.[2]