Cbrn News

“Fireboats are basically an insurance policy.” -Meeting minutes, Southeast Texas Waterways Advisory Council (SETWAC).Developments in America’s coastal ports are causing officials to closely review maritime safety operations and equipment. Fireboats draw a lot of attention. The reference here is to big fireboats – 40-50 feet, crewed by specially trained firefighters, outfitted with the equipment required to confront and take on a range of waterway emergencies. [CBRN is a frequent acronym used with these fireboats: Chemical…

MetalCraft Marine has delivered a new patrol boat to the Port of Los Angeles. The new vessel is one of a new breed of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) detection patrol boats.According to the builder, the bow entry is the critical design feature of all Interceptor models. Its high-speed rough water performance allows the operators to go offshore to inspect incoming ships before they enter the port for nuclear and chemical hazardous contaminants.The boat is designed for rough water with structure design to ISO 12215 and stability to ISO 12217 Category B…

On March 3, the Coast Guard published a notice that Martin Midstream Partners (MMP), a petrochemical transport and storage company, was seeking approval to modify terminal operations in Beaumont, Texas, along the Sabine-Neches Waterway. If approved, MMP would expand its liquefied hazardous gas (LHG) operations, both in volume and products. Instead of just handling ammonia the change would allow shipments of butane, propane, ethane, ethylene and propylene.Critically, MMP’s expansion would increase LHG vessel transit from 24 ships to as many as 350 per year.

These days, cost-conscious municipalities across the fruited plain, from sea to shining sea, are ordering new waterborne assets to cover their many local responsibilities. When they do, they want ‘more bang for their buck,’ combining multiple missions – and the equipment that makes it all possible – onto one hull. That’s a tall order on the typically compact patrol boat style hulls that tend to be big on performance, but short on space for equipment that can demand a significant physical footprint. One such shipbuilder stepping up to plate to deliver on a raft of promises is Gulf Coast-based Metal Shark. Significantly expanding its presence in the fireboat market with a diverse range of fireboats currently in production for multiple customers…

The long-established Hamburg company NOSKE-KAESER Maritime Solutions will be turning 140 years old.Managing director Jürgen Matthes is delighted about the jubilee: “This is a very special anniversary for us. The company has had its ups and downs over the decades, but with outstanding products, loyal employees and a loyal customer and supplier base, ultimately it appears that success can be achieved even in uncertain times.” Following the acquisition by ENGIE Axima, which is part of the French ENGIE energy group, NOSKE-KAESER has been back in safe waters since December 2017.

This West Coast boat builder stays busy creating high quality fireboats for a diverse set of demanding, multi-missioned first responders. For Moose customer satisfaction is the name of the game. This year, they’ve got that box checked.Vallejo,CA-based Moose Boats builds aluminum catamaran and monohull vessels designed to meet a variety of mission-specific applications for military, law enforcement, emergency response, firefighting and security patrol purposes. It’s been a busy year for Moose, who also recently laid the keel for a 75’ catamaran crew boat for Westar Marine Services in San Francisco. But, it is fireboats that this builder is known for. And, at present, it would not be an exaggeration to say that fireboats are ‘hot’ for Moose Boats.

Moose Boats delivered a M2-38 Catamaran CBRN, Dive and Fire Rescue vessel to San Francisco Fire Department.A pair of Cummins QSB6.7 425hp turbo diesel propulsion engines with Hamilton HJ292 water-jets will power the M2-38 aluminum catamaran. Serving primarily as a dive and rescue boat, the M2 is outfitted with an integrated dive/recovery platform and a bow ladder for beach rescues.Due to the Moose Boat’s Homeland Security role, it is also equipped with a Hale fire pump flowing in excess of 1…

California boat builder Moose Boats said it was awarded a contract from the San Francisco Fire Department for the construction of a M2-38 Catamaran CBRN, Dive and Fire Rescue vessel to enter service in the third quarter of 2018. The aluminum catamaran, which is 75 percent funded by FEMA’s FY2015 Port Security Grant Program, will be powered by twin Cummins QSB6.7 425hp turbo diesel propulsion engines with Hamilton HJ292 waterjets. Serving primarily as a dive and rescue boat, the vessel will be outfitted with an integrated dive/recovery platform and a bow ladder for beach rescues.

Marine News looks back at the past 12 months and showcases the best of North America’s workboat design shop and shipyard output. In a year where some stakeholders might not rank 2016 as the best of years in the shipyard or on the waterfront, we might disagree. And, there is plenty to write about. New contracts, deliveries and designs all combine to show that the collective workboat waterfront is moving forward, with technology, the environment and replacement tonnage requirements as the main drivers.

Canada based naval architect and marine engineering firm Robert Allan Ltd. is a leading designer of high-performance response vessels of many types and in particular, large fireboats for major ports worldwide. In addition to the vessels’ outwardly obvious role of fighting fires, these vessels also serve as incident command centers or as primary response vessels for any local emergency actions requiring water-based control. Robert Allan Ltd. was awarded a contract in the summer of 2011 to prepare plans and specifications for a pair of fireboats for the Port of Long Beach, Calif.

U.S. Moose Boats, a boat designer and manufacturer in the San Francisco Bay Area, announced two recent vessel deliveries: a M2-35 Catamaran Patrol Boat to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office in Carnelian Bay, Calif., and a M2-38’ 3,000GPM Fire Rescue Catamaran to the Bellingham Fire Department in Bellingham, Wash. The builder has received an additional order to build a M2-38 Catamaran CBRNE Emergency Response and Recovery Vessel for the New Bedford Fire Department in Massachusetts.

Construction of FDNY’s newest fireboat, William M. Feehan, has been completed by shipbuilder MetalCraft Marine Incorporated, and is slated for delivery and christening in the coming weeks. The name of the new boat honors veteran firefighter William Feehan, who at 71 was the oldest of 343 firefighters to pass away in the line of duty on September 11, 2001. The vessel’s nameplate, displayed prominently alongside the cabin, is milled from an I-beam lifted from the rubble of the World Trade Center.

Combat, Patrol and Law Enforcement Vessels Meet Multiple Missions with varied business plans. U.S. firms building patrol, combat and law enforcement craft are weathering government budget cuts by strengthening ties with clients and public agencies. These unique boats remain in demand because of terrorism, crime, wars, piracy and fire, and most serve multiple missions. As maritime nations beef up their defense capabilities, U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) programs help builders do business overseas.

On April 16, 2015, the second of four ordered Type F125 frigates for the German Navy was christened by the name of Nordrhein-Westfalen in Hamburg. Hamburg-based Noske-Kaeser, technology producer in the fields of firefighting, CBRN defense, climate, refrigeration and air conditioning systems, has further developed its fire extinguishing technology for the new frigate class F125 that was now installed on the first German Navy ship. “We provide turnkey solutions for firefighting systems for nearly every area of the four 125 class frigates…

RIBCRAFT, manufacturer of professional grade rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) for safety professionals, law enforcement, and military agencies, announced the delivery of a specialized RIBCRAFT 7.8 to the City of Decatur, Alabama for patrol and enforcement operations. The 25’ purpose built mission specific RIB will be used by the Decatur Police Department for tactical operations and on water patrols. Located on the Tennessee River with several chemical companies on the shoreline, the new RIB will enable Decatur Police to fulfill technical rescue and hazardous materials mitigation.

Moose Boats, a boat designer and manufacturer in the San Francisco Bay Area, has been awarded a contract from Bellingham Fire Department in Washington State for the construction of a M2-38 Catamaran CBRN Emergency Response and Recovery Vessel. The M2-38 aluminum catamaran will be powered by twin Cummins QSB6.7 425hp turbo diesel propulsion engines coupled to Hamilton HJ292 water-jets via TwinDisc 5075SC marine transmissions. The M2 will be equipped with dual Hale 1,000GPM rated fire pumps…

The first of two new fireboats built by Foss Maritime for the Port of Long Beach (POLB) was dedicated in a blessing ceremony on Thursday, May 1 at Foss Maritime's Seattle Shipyard, the company said. The vessel, named Fireboat 20, is being readied for service and is slated for delivery to Long Beach, Calif., this summer. Gary Faber, Foss Senior Vice President, made opening remarks and praised the hardworking men and women who helped construct the vessel. Peter Forsythe, POLB Deputy Chief Harbor Engineer spoke with excitement about the forthcoming delivery…

The Danish-led maritime Task Group participating in Operation RECSYR successfully shipped out the third batch of chemical materials from the Syrian Arab Republic. The third shipment of chemical materials from the Syrian Arab Republic was successfully shipped out by the participating international maritime forces in support of the UN-OPCW Joint Mission to the Syrian Arab Republic as mandated by UN Security Resolution 2118. The chemical materials were verified by UN Joint Mission personnel before being loaded onto the Norwegian merchant vessel TAIKO in the Syrian port of Latakia.

The Danish-led maritime Task Group participating in Operation RECSYR successfully shipped out the second batch of chemical materials from the Syrian Arab Republic in support of the UN-OPCW Joint Mission as mandated by UN Security Resolution 2118. The chemical materials were verified by UN Joint Mission personnel before being loaded onto the Danish merchant vessel ARK FUTURA and the Norwegian merchant vessel TAIKO in the Syrian port of Latakia. The merchant vessels were escorted by two maritime Task Groups…

Robert Allan Ltd. announced that it was selected to be the Owner’s Naval Architect for the design and construction of two new fireboats for the Port of Long Beach. Custom designed for service in the U.S. port, the fireboats will be operated by the Long Beach Fire Department and will be amongst the largest fireboats in North America. Robert Allan Ltd.’s design work began in 2011, with a series of kick-off meetings with the Port of Long Beach and the Long Beach Fire Department to establish the Statement of Requirements for the new vessels.

Louisiana Manufacturer will Replace Coast Guard's Small Response Boat Fleet. Metal Shark Boats has been awarded a contract to replace the U.S. Coast Guard's fleet of Response Boat - Small (RB-S) vessels. Up to 470 boats will be delivered across the Coast Guard fleet, with an additional 20 boats will be available to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with another ten slated for purchase by the U.S. Navy. The $192 million contract is one of the largest boat buys of its kind for the Coast Guard, and provides a significant economic boost to the state of Louisiana.

City of Boston is purchasing a new state of the art fireboat with Chemical, Biological, Radiological emergency response capability for the Boston Fire Department. This new vessel will replace the current fireboat “FIREFIGHTER” which has been in service since 1972 and does not have the capabilities need for a modern emergency response fireboat. “Purchasing a new fireboat will greatly enhance public safety in the City and in Boston Harbor and I commend Commissioner Fraser and his staff for their hard work on this issue,” stated Mayor Thomas M Menino.

21 Relentless Delivered to Pendleton Rescue Squad. Metal Shark Boats has completed delivery of a 21 Relentless fire, rescue, and patrol vessel for Pendleton Rescue Squad's operations in Kentucky. A custom-built derivative of the U.S. Coast Guard's SPC-SW standard platform response vessel, the boat will serve as the Squad's primary rescue and firefighting vessel. A sister craft has also been built as a demonstration platform for Metal Shark's sales team, and is currently available for testing nationwide.