Kvichak Delivers L.A. Fireboat

The Port of Los Angeles recently welcomed the arrival of Fireboat #1, the first of three 39 ft. boats constructed by Kvichak Marine Industries and designed by Jensen Maritime Consultants. Stationed at Terminal Island, California, Fireboat #1 is the first vessel to kick-off the replacement program of the Port's aging fireboat fleet. Later this year, the deliveries of Fireboat #3 & Fireboat #5 will complete the phase-out of the two remaining 35-year old boats. With a 39 ft. 3 in. overall length and a beam of 13 ft. 6in., the all-aluminum fireboat powered by twin Caterpillar 3126B engines driving 24" propellers through Twin Disc MG-5075A gears, reaches a top-end speed of ~29 knots while fully loaded. Fireboat #1 utilizes a Cummins 6BTA5.9-M3 dedicated fire pump engine, directly coupled to a Hale 80-FC 2400 GPM pump. A Stang 925545 fire monitor provides 1000 GPM of water flow. In addition, Fireboat #1 has a 50-gallon AR firefighting foam capacity. The vessel will be called into action for various missions including firefighting and rescue, patrol and inspection, emergency medical service, and homeland security patrol. "Fireboat #1 has a very solid and durable feel and handling is responsive and true at all speeds," said Doug Moore, engineer for the Fire Department. "Upgrading the Port's emergency watercraft fleet was a necessity and this vessel is the first step in improving the safety of the Port of Los Angeles."