NEW YORK (PIX11) -- As the summer season approaches, the NYPD is turning its sights to boats on the water after the elite Harbor Unit responded to a report of three males stranded in the Hudson River.
The Harbor Unit keeps the waters around New York City safe, with vessels including a 70-foot boat equipped with side scan sonar and infrared heat signature technology, that helps find individuals who have fallen into the water.
The heavy-duty vessel played a critical role in conducting the ultimately tragic search and recovery effort for two missing Harlem boys who ended up in the East River last year.
"The river is nothing to take for granted," said Officer Mark Landi. "It's constantly moving around out here. I believe that this boat infinitely increases our capability on the water."
As a combination patrol, tactical and response vessel, the vessel boasts a top speed of more than 40 miles an hour. For enforcement purposes, that's fast enough to catch up with illegal or unregistered recreational watercraft - including some jet skis.
"We do see different infractions out here but most of the times, a lot of it is just ignorance," said Landi. "Our biggest advice to people is education on the water. It's not so much that people come out here to break the law. It's just they don't know the rules and whatnot."
During an emergency, the NYPD can also run its field operations from this mobile command center.
In fact, in the event of a biological or chemical attack it even has the ability to close these ceiling mounted wheels – which shuts down various shafts to filter clean, breathable air into the sealed main cabin.
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