Customs has introduced three underwater remotely operated vehicles to strengthen its maritime border operations and target transnational organised crime.
The new technology, formally commissioned in Auckland on May 22, will allow authorities to perform faster targeted inspections below the waterline.
Customs maritime group manager Paul Campbell said the deployment of the remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) would allow specialist dive teams to focus on recovery operations rather than routine checks.
“This enhanced search capability means faster targeted inspections and smarter deployment of specialist divers. With ROVs conducting below‑waterline checks, specialist dive teams can focus on recovery operations rather than routine inspection,” Campbell said.
The ROVs were procured following a technology trial supported by the Australian Border Force, using maritime supply chain funding from Budget 2023.
