Boston Fireboat to be Replaced

According to reports, Boston’s aging fireboat has broken down again and is in a Gloucester repair shop, leaving the waterfront without a major city apparatus to protect it. The 30-year-old boat called Firefighter is about to be replaced, though, by a tricked-out waterborne homeland security vessel that is reported to cost up to $10 million. The 76-ft., Firefighter has been plagued with problems and is undergoing structural repairs. That leaves the smaller St. Florian II, a 14-year-old, 30-foot vessel, as the city’s only waterfront protector. The Massachusetts Port Authority’s boat docked near Logan International Airport is expected to cover for the city if needed. The fireboat will not only pump water and be able to handle hazardous materials, it will have built-in sensors that can detect unspecified hazards in the water. The Hub’s firefighting fleet will also be joined in March by a 27-ft. Boston Whaler. Source: Boston Herald