Marine Link
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Firefighting Vessel Delivered to the US Army

Maritime Activity Reports, Inc.

July 2, 2015

  • Photo: TAI
  • Photo: TAI
  • Photo: TAI Photo: TAI
  • Photo: TAI Photo: TAI
New Orleans based maritime solutions company Technology Associates, Inc. (TAI) informs it has completed its contract for the design and construction of a fast response firefighting vessel delivered to the U.S. Army, in support of U.S. Military Surface Deployment Distribution Command (SDDC) 596th Transportation Brigade (TB), on June 12, 2015.
 
The all-aluminum fast response firefighting vessel, named Port Chicago, measures 75 ft length overall, 20 ft beam, and 10 ft deep. Designed to support the Army's mission of fire protection of the Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO), Calif., the vessel will help ensure continued safety of the MOTCO facilities and those of local cities and towns.
 
The firefighting vessel was fabricated jointly at subcontractor Aluma Marine facilities in Harvey, La. It is National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1925 Type II compliant and meets the ABS High Speed Vessel rules. It is equipped with a total 3,200 BHP Caterpillar C-32 propulsion engines which turn two Hamilton water jets allowing for quick tactical response at high speeds reaching 30 knots and provide the ability to approach shallow waters. 
 
The vessel's firefighting system features 1,200 Bhp fire pump engines which power two fire pumps. Separating the pumps from the propulsion engines maintains the boat's full firefighting capabilities, as well as full propulsion for maneuvering. The fire pumps supply 10,000 gallons per minute of water to four fire monitors and five fire hydrants. There are also three manifolds to supply water to hoses to fight fires on an affected platform or on shore. The monitors are remote and manually controlled. The remotely operated fire monitor, mounted on the pilot house top and can be viewed from an inside fire response station through two roof windows. The fire monitors are capable of reaching fires over 400 ft away. The vessel is equipped with foam concentrate tanks capable of deploying 1, 3 or 6 percent foam automatically. The vessel is equipped with a deluge fire sprinkler system which, when activated, covers the entire vessel's exterior with water to prevent fires from flashing back to the M/V Port Chicago. The vessel also features a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system which helps with identifying and targeting the seat of a fire, and with high speed navigation at night or in fog. It is equipped with a treatment room in which emergency treatment can be administered to disaster victims. The vessel has spaces for all fire response gear and Self Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBA), a galley, mess, sleeping accommodations for four, and a head to allow extended fire response duties. 
 
Anil Raj, president of TAI said, “This vessel design and build program was delivered ahead of schedule and with zero change orders. The successful project performance resulted from the partnership spirit with which the Army and TAI jointly managed and implemented the project. The fabrication yard, Aluma Marine and the craftsmen who worked with and supported TAI personnel at the facility are to be commended. We are happy that the Army received a custom craft suiting all of its requirements, and that the Army is pleased with the craft’s performance, as well as the logistics support and the crew training provided under the contract.”

Subscribe for
Maritime Reporter E-News

Maritime Reporter E-News is the maritime industry's largest circulation and most authoritative ENews Service, delivered to your Email five times per week