The story behind the Arctic 4.5 cadaver dog boat for the Finnish Police

When operations demand precision, sensitivity and safety in tight, unpredictable environments, a standard boat just won’t do. That’s why Arctic Boats developed the Arctic 4.5, a compact HMWPE-built vessel specially designed for cadaver dog operations – and more.

Built in close cooperation with operational field experts and the Finnish Police, this boat ensures the safety of both crew and canines, while also being exceptionally versatile for inland and nearshore tasks such as surface rescue, flood response and oil spill control.

Custom features for specialized tasks

The Arctic 4.5 for the Finnish Police was developed to meet a specific mission: provide a stable, reliable and safe platform for search and recovery missions involving specially trained cadaver dogs.

Key design features include:

Front-mounted hatch that opens – designed for cadaver dogs to lie on while scent-tracking over the water.
Several lift-mounted sonar transducers – retractable for protection during ice operations.
Optional stainless propeller guard – for safer maneuvering near people or animals
Three watertight hull compartments – ensuring full buoyancy even when loaded
Large MFD displaying seabed objects

Special feature for scent detection

The most important and unique feature of the boat is the front-mounted, openable hatch, allowing the dog to lie down and lower its nose all the way to the water’s surface to detect scent trails from corpses submerged at depths of up to 5 meters.

Despite its small footprint, this boat is remarkably spacious inside — delivering comfort and space for handlers, equipment, and mission-specific gear.

Built for Finland’s unique environment

This highly specialized vessel has been built for the Finnish Police, who have ordered 10 units for deployment. These boats are now stationed across Finland’s largest cities and are intended for active duty on the country’s thousands of lakes. Their mission: to aid in search and recovery, often in remote or rugged inland waters where conventional boats cannot operate effectively.

Why HMWPE for this boat?

High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (HMWPE) makes this vessel an ideal choice for rough inland operations:

Durability — handles impacts, scraping and harsh use with ease
Low maintenance — chemical-resistant and corrosion-free
Lightweight yet strong — easy to tow, launch, and handle
Environmentally friendly — fully recyclable with no harmful byproducts
Cost-efficient — low life-cycle and repair costs

HMWPE is especially suitable for rescue and utility boats used in varied conditions — including flooded urban areas, icy rivers and contaminated zones.

Built for more than one mission

While originally designed for cadaver dog operations, the Arctic 4.5 is a multi-role workboat. Its compact size and smart features make it suitable for:

Surface rescue
Environmental response (oil/fuel containment)
Flood relief
Ice operation support
Inland and shallow water patrol

Technical specifications

Overall length: 4.5 m
Beam: 1.8 m
Weight (no engine): 390 kg
Engine Power: 30-40 hp
Top Speed: up to 29 knots
CE Category: D (inland waters)
Capacity: 6 persons

Real-life missions

This specialized police cadaver dog boats are currently stationed in several bigger cities in Finland. They have supported numerous police operations, including search and recovery missions, evidence location in waterlogged terrain, and flood zone patrols. The boat has proven to be a reliable tool in time-sensitive and high-stakes scenarios where traditional methods fall short.

“The boat is very robust and well-built. It serves its purpose well in search operations for deceased individuals, both underwater and along shorelines.”

Police officer, Finland

“This cooperation with the Finnish Police exemplifies what we strive for at Arctic Boats: designing vessels that are not only robust and versatile, but purpose-built to save lives and support critical missions. The Arctic 4.5 was shaped directly by the needs of the field – combining precision, safety and innovation in a compact form. We’re proud to support missions where well-designed details help make the work more effective.”

Henrik Paersch, CEO Arctic Boats

Boat presentation video

Have unique requirements or a special mission in mind?

Send us an email with your project details – we’re happy to set up a meeting to discuss how Arctic Boats can tailor a solution just for you.