JMC to Design Fireboats for L.A. Fire Dept.

Jensen Maritime Consultants of Seattle, Washington, has been awarded the contract to design a small fireboat for the Los Angeles Fire Department. Three of these new boats are to replace three existing fiberglass boats that were built in the 60's, and are to be used to enhance the Department's capability for fighting ship and shore-side fires. Each vessel is to be not more than 40-ft. in length, obtain cruising speeds in excess of 25 knots, and have a pumping capacity approaching 2,000 GPM. The boats are to be powered by twin diesel engines, with a third engine powering the fire pump. A three man crew will operate each vessel during typical missions. For larger conflagrations, these boats will operate in tandem with the Department's larger vessels. The design process is to start immediately, with the goal of sending the project out to bid by the end of the year.