Cyprus Port and Marine Police The Cyprus Port & Marine Police ( Greek Λιμενική και Ναυτική Αστυνομία ) are the civilian Coast Guard wing of the Cyprus Police , and are tasked with the primary mission of law enforcement of the waters around , and control of the sea borders of the Republic of Cyprus . Main roles are reported to include law enforcement of illicit activities such as smuggling , terrorism , piracy and illegal fishing . The Cyprus Port and Marine Police also serve a role as a search and rescue ( SAR ) force . This force is equipped with patrol boats and radars . Cyprus Marine Police boats are notable by the " PV - " ( Patrol Vessel ) and " PL - " ( Patrol Launch ) prefixes on their pennant numbers , painted on the side of the hull . A Brief History . 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 ( Fletcher Malibu ) small Speed Boats . Later ( circa 2004 - 2006 ) 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 Shaldag patrol 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 ( P - 190 ) class patrol vessels from Cantierre Navale Vittoria . These were initially equipped with 1 12 . 7 mm and 2 7 . 62mm machine guns ( on the forecastle , later also replaced with 12 . 7 mm machine guns ) . In 2010 , according to local press , Port and Marine Police fleet planning to receive 2 more patrol boats ( Length - approx . 15 - 16 meter , Width - 4 – 5 meters , Speed - not less than 43 knots ) . 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 : Cyprus Port and Marine Police Fleet since 1980 . 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 :