SeaArk Marine, Inc. recently completed a 27-ft Commander RAM fire/rescue boat for the Potomac Heights Volunteer Fire Department in Indian Head, Md. The boat is responsible for fire suppression and emergency rescue missions on the Potomac River and surrounding waters.
The SeaArk 27-ft Commander RAM is based on a widely proven hull designed by C. Raymond Hunt & Associates, and is constructed of all-welded marine-grade aluminum. The vessel features a deep-vee variable deadrise hull that produces a smooth, dry and stable ride, which characteristics are greatly appreciated by the crew for fast response and crew comfort.
Crew accommodations include air-ride suspension seating, two emergency treatment tables, a work station and fully climate controlled cabin.
To facilitate quick response time in getting on scene, the Potomac heights VFD selected twin 225 hp Honda 4-stroke outboard engines and, when fully operational, the boat achieves response speeds to 40+ knots.
For rescue calls, a dive door is located on the port side and is wide enough to bring a victim on a backboard out of the water and onto the boat. Once aboard, the victim can easily be moved into the 6-person extended cabin, which incorporates two seven-ft treatment benches where the victim can be treated and stabilized en route to a shoreside facility.
For fire calls, a Darley 64 hp model HE64RSS, 250 gpm fire pump with a four-inch hard piped thru-hull draft line is provided. In addition, hard piping is also provided from the pump to an Elkhart 8294-04 Scorpion electric deck gun, which is run by a remote joystick from the helm. The boat is also equipped with two 1.5-inch stand pipes on the aft deck for hand line operation.
Additional outfitting includes a 28-inch Whelen Edge mini light bar, Whelen Pioneer LED deck/flood lights, Whelen Siren P/A, a FLIR Navigator infra-red camera, a fire radio, an ICOM VHF radio, Furuno GPS and a Lowrance digital depth sounder.
Auxiliary 110 A/C electric power is provided with a 7kw Kohler generator and a 30amp shore power set.