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A visitor to Chicago … Houston Fire Boat
Tim Olk sent in this picture of a brand-new fireboat destined for the Houston Fire Department. As it made its way to Houston, the vessel had to stop overnight in Chicago.
Below is a photo taken by Tim Olk showing the impressive new MetalCraft Marine Firestorm 70 fireboat docked in Chicago.
[Insert Photo Caption: A newly arrived MetalCraft Marine Firestorm 70 fireboat for the Houston Fire Department pauses in Chicago. Photo credit: Tim Olk]
From the Port of Houston Authority:
HOUSTON — The Port of Houston is set to receive the first of three advanced fireboats following a two-week journey through four Great Lakes and down the Mississippi River. These new vessels will modernize the firefighting fleet, making it the most technologically advanced in the world.
Len Waterworth, Executive Director of the Port Authority, highlighted the importance of these fireboats: "Given Houston's status as the nation's busiest port by foreign tonnage and home to one of the world's largest petrochemical complexes, our firefighting team is unmatched in safeguarding this vital national resource. These new fireboats will significantly enhance our firefighters' capacity to protect lives and property along the 25-mile stretch of the Port of Houston."
The delivery team consists of five members, including three from the Port of Houston Authority’s Fire Department. They'll guide the new craft across Lake Ontario and Erie to Detroit (May 22), then across Huron and Michigan to Chicago (May 25). From there, the route follows the Cumberland River to Lockport, Illinois (May 26), the Illinois River to St. Louis (May 27), and finally the Mississippi River with stops in Cape Girardeau, Missouri (May 28), Memphis, Tennessee (May 29), Greenville, Mississippi (May 30), and Baton Rouge, Louisiana (May 31). The journey ends with a stop in Galveston, Texas (June 1) before reaching the Port of Houston around June 1, 2013.
For those interested in tracking the fireboat's progress, updates can be found on the Port Authority’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/PortofHouston or via Twitter @PortofHouston.
Senior Captain Glenn Hood, a 14-year veteran of the fire department, leads the delivery crew alongside Engine Operators Robert Lacour and Vic Vasquez, each with a decade of service. These professionals are part of highly trained firefighting and hazardous materials response teams, all certified in structural firefighting, marine operations, hazmat response, and EMT services. Additionally, all pilots and captains hold U.S. Coast Guard licenses.
Currently, the Port of Houston Fire Department operates out of four strategically placed fire stations along the Houston Ship Channel. Their responsibilities include combating both marine and land-based fires while responding to various emergencies throughout the upper ship channel.
Captain Ron Peddle, an owner of MetalCraft Marine with over 32 years of ship piloting experience and 34 years in boat construction, will be steering the vessel.
The Firestorm 70:
This cutting-edge command center and high-speed response vessel is being constructed by MetalCraft Marine. Equipped with powerful quad diesel inboard engines, the Firestorm 70 boasts a top speed of 45 knots, compared to the existing fleet's speeds of just 14 and 16 knots. Faster response times are crucial for effective firefighting over the Port of Houston's 25-mile span.
Combining features of a firehouse and a fireboat, the vessel allows the crew to remain on station longer. The cabin accommodates a primary care berth and four secondary berths in the cuddy, with additional portable berths available in the aft equipment cabin for treating casualties.
Equipped with four firefighting pumps, the Firestorm 70 achieves flow rates of 13,600 gallons per minute (GPM) at 150 psi and 17,000 GPM at 130 psi, projecting streams up to 450 feet using a roof-mounted Stang monitor. This represents a threefold increase in discharge rate compared to the current fleet. Acting as a shore hydrant, the Firestorm 70 can pump 7,000 GPM at 70 psi through 1,000 feet of hose from a 5-inch Storz outlet before requiring staging pumps.
Each fireboat measures 70 feet 10 inches in length, 22 feet 10 inches in width, and has a draft of 34 inches. Funding primarily comes from federal grants aimed at replacing three aging fireboats commissioned in 1973 and 1983.
Michael Allen, General Manager of MetalCraft Marine, expressed pride in securing the contract: "Our team dedicated over 20,000 hours under the expert guidance of Project Manager Jay Milner and Design Manager Ryan Hunter to construct this industry-leading fast-response Firestorm 70."
MetalCraft Marine specializes in designing and manufacturing custom high-performance fire, rescue, patrol, research, and other specialized workboats. Established in 1987, the company has built over 550 hulls and serves clients such as the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, and Panama Canal Authority.
For more images of the new fireboat, visit the provided link.
Additional coverage from MarineLog.com:
MAY 22, 2013 — The first of three high-performance fireboats has begun its two-week journey from Kingston, Ontario, to the Port of Houston. Built by MetalCraft Marine, these fireboats promise to equip the Port Authority’s firefighting team with the world’s most advanced fireboat fleet.
As the nation’s busiest port in terms of foreign tonnage and housing one of the world’s largest petrochemical complexes, the Port Authority ensures unparalleled protection for its assets. These new fireboats will further bolster the firefighters' capabilities to preserve life and property across the Port of Houston’s 25-mile expanse.
Led by Senior Captain Glenn Hood, the delivery team comprises Engine Operators Robert Lacour and Vic Vasquez, both with extensive experience at the Port Authority. These experts form part of elite firefighting and hazardous materials response teams, certified across multiple disciplines by the state of Texas. All crew members are U.S. Coast Guard-licensed mariners.
The Port of Houston Fire Department maintains strategic fire stations along the Houston Ship Channel, handling marine and land-based firefighting as well as emergency responses.
The vessel will be captained by Ron Peddle, an experienced ship pilot and MetalCraft Marine owner with decades of maritime expertise.
Constructed based on MetalCraft Marine’s Firestorm 70 design, this state-of-the-art command center and high-speed responder is powered by quad diesel inboards, achieving speeds up to 45 knots—far surpassing the current fleet’s 14 to 16 knots. Enhanced mobility is critical for efficient firefighting operations along the Port of Houston.
The Firestorm 70 combines firefighting prowess with living quarters, allowing extended stays on station. Features include a primary care berth and four secondary berths, with additional portable berths for treating casualties.
With four firefighting pumps capable of delivering 13,600 GPM at 150 psi and 17,000 GPM at 130 psi, the vessel can project streams up to 450 feet using a roof-mounted Stang monitor. Its shore hydrant capability pumps 7,000 GPM at 70 psi through 1,000 feet of hose from a 5-inch Storz outlet without staging pumps.
Each vessel spans 70 feet 10 inches in length, 22 feet 10 inches in width, and draws 34 inches of water. Federal grants predominantly fund these replacements for aging fireboats commissioned in 1973 and 1983.
Michael Allen, General Manager of MetalCraft Marine, conveyed the company's honor in serving the Port of Houston Authority. Collaborating closely with the Port, MetalCraft’s skilled artisans devoted over 20,000 hours to deliver this top-tier fast-response Firestorm 70.
MetalCraft Marine stands as a leader in designing and manufacturing aluminum water-jet propelled crafts, boasting over 550 hulls to date. Clients include the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, and Panama Canal Authority.