Newsroom
They're not the latest rescue dogs or new police recruits; they're the British Bases Police's newest partners on the water.
The two new Sea-Doo jet skis, named Hermes and Aura, are part of a wider effort to strengthen maritime policing around Cyprus' southwest coast, as the British Bases Police opens a new satellite Marine Policing Unit at Episkopi Bay.
For anyone spending time at the beach or out on the water this summer, the goal is simple: faster emergency response, increased patrols, and a stronger police presence when every minute counts.
The new station will operate as an extension of the existing Marine Police Station in Akrotiri, allowing officers to reach incidents more quickly while covering a larger stretch of coastline. Initially, it will operate on weekends during the busy summer months.
For most people, the extra police presence will hopefully go unnoticed, unless something goes wrong.
Whether it's a swimmer in distress, a boat breakdown, a missing paddleboarder or an emergency at sea, having officers based closer to Episkopi Bay means help can get there faster.
Sergeant Nikolas Perdiou, the Maritime Police Unit's trainer and risk assessor, said the new facility will improve the unit's operational efficiency and increase its presence on the water.
"When every minute counts, being closer to the scene can make all the difference," he said, adding that the new base will also strengthen the force's ability to protect people enjoying the coast.
But the station isn't just about summer safety.
British Bases Police say it will also play an important role in monitoring the coastline and supporting efforts to tackle irregular migration.
Senior Operations Lieutenant Ozgur Saadat said the new base will allow officers to patrol a larger geographical area and improve their ability to prevent, detect, and respond to migration-related incidents within the Sovereign Base Areas' waters.
The satellite station will be staffed by existing officers from the Maritime Policing Unit and other police divisions, meaning the expanded service will be delivered using current personnel.
For Cyprus, where thousands of residents and tourists head to the sea every weekend during the summer, the investment reflects the growing importance of maritime policing, not just for security, but for public safety.
And with Hermes and Aura now joining the fleet, beachgoers may notice a little more blue flashing across the waves this summer, bringing with it the reassurance that help is never too far away.
