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Thursday, March 28, 2024

New Fireboat for City of Chicago

Maritime Activity Reports, Inc.

March 4, 2011

The  City  of  Chicago  recently  contracted  Hike  Metal  of  Wheatley , Ontario  Canada   to  construct  a  new  heavy- duty  NFPA  1925 Type  III Fireboat  to  replace  its  55  year old  fireboat.  This  sleek  new  90-ft  boat   is  designed  to break  up  to  12  inches  of   first  year  ice  at  three  knots  and  can  therefore  operate  year  round  on  Lake  Michigan  and  the  Chicago  River .

It  is  equipped  with  Caterpillar  marine  diesel  engines; two  1,0000hp engines  driving  the  main  fire pumps  for  a  total  delivery  capacity of  14,000  gallons  per  minute  of  water ( and  foam  if  required ) , at  150  psi  to  fire  monitors and  hose  hydrants , or  the  vessel  can  be  used  as  a  pumping  station  to  supplement  the  cities  firemain  supply; and  two  1,500hp propulsion  engines,  capable  of  driving  the  vessel  at  12  knots.
   
The  Fireboat  will  be  operated  by  a  crew  of  five  during  normal  operations  and  a  crew  of  ten  while  in  fire-fighting  operation  mode. The  vessel  is  equipped  with  special  alloy  propellers  designed  and  made  for  the  severe  ice conditions  it  will operate  in. The  Fireboat  is  heated  and  air-conditioned . It  has  a  deckhouse  designed  to  contain  the  pilothouse , a  multi-purpose  cabin  which  contains  an  emergency  command  center , an  emergency  medical treatment  center , a  decontamination  station , and  fire-fighting  equipment  storage. Below  decks  there  are  crew  accommodations , a  mess area,  and  washroom  facilities.  

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