Stakeholders celebrate the commissioning of the QPV Paul Ray Dai, named after a beloved former senior police liaison officer who gave nearly 40 years’ service to policing, on Thursday Island last week. Photo: Supplied.
Minister for Police and Community Safety Mark Ryan and Queensland Police Service (QPS) Commissioner Steve Gollschewski have travelled to the Torres Strait to attend a commissioning ceremony for a new vessel bearing the name of one of Thursday Island’s most loved police liaison officers (PLO).
The vessel, the QPV Paul Ray Dai, has been named in honour of senior police liaison officer Paul Ray Dai, a long-serving member of the QPS who served the community with great distinction for 38 years, particularly his home of the Torres Strait.
The commissioned vessel is a 12.5-metre, high-speed aluminium rigid patrol and enforcement vessel, which has already been used in a number of search and rescue operations in the Torres Strait.
Minister Ryan said naming the vessel after the senior PLO honoured the “compassion and dedication” he showed residents of the region during his career.
“This vessel, the Paul Ray Dai, is the pride of the northern fleet and is equipped with the latest navigational systems and safety equipment while providing crew with superior levels of comfort,” he said.
“By naming this vessel after officer Paul Ray Dai, we are honouring the compassion and dedication he displayed throughout his time in service.”
Commissioner Gollschewski echoed Minister Ryan’s sentiment and said he believed the name was extremely appropriate.
“It is fitting for this great vessel to be named after Paul Ray Dai, a QPS member who supported the Queensland community with great distinction, in particular, his home in the Torres Strait islands,” he said.
“Through this vessel, Paul Ray Dai’s legacy will continue to support the community, bringing increased capacity, safety and performance for the Queensland Water Police.”
