The UK Border Agency's fleet of patrol boats are known as cutters.
A single vessel from the UK Border Agency (UKBA), the Sentinel, is responsible for patrolling almost 3000 miles of Scotland’s coastline, on the lookout for illegal drugs, counterfeit cigarettes, untaxed alcohol, to search and detect prohibited and restricted goods, and prevent tax fraud, by searching all types of vessels.
The fleet currently consists of five vessels:
Sentinel, Seeker, Searcher, Vigilant and Valiant
Most of the time, the cutters are deployed on a risk-led or intelligence-led basis to control general maritime traffic throughout UK waters. In the more remote areas and inaccessible areas, visited less often by land-based teams, they may be the only law enforcement tool available.
Other activities include strategic patrols, tactical response work, support for other departments and agencies, and participation in multi-agency operations in both UK and international waters. Although they operate mainly in UK waters, they have responded to deployments as from the Baltic to the Mediterranean.
Sentinel has just returned from operational commitments and is seen here approaching Leith for some well deserved R & R.
