Emergency Response Fireboat Delivered

The City of Baltimore has just taken delivery of a new 87 ft. Emergency Response Fireboat. Hike Metal Products won the contract in 2006 under a “design build” bid competition. The vessel was designed by Robert Allan Ltd, Vancouver BC. The vessel measures 87 ft LOA x 22ft. beam and has a draft of 7ft – 3”. It is built with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure and is powered by two Caterpillar 3512 developing 1650BHP each at 1600RPM driving 61 inch dia. Five blade propellers, giving the vessel a speed of 17 knots. Firefighting is provided from two Caterpillar C18 engines rated at 750BHp at 2100 RPM each driving FSS Fire pumps and delivering water to a total of four fire monitors rated for 12,500 GPM, plus manifold fire hose connectors, and 1000 gallons of foam capacity. Electrical power is provided by two Caterpillar C-4.4 gensets rated at 58KW each. An electric bow thruster aids in station keeping and docking. The vessel is designed to carry out multiple emergency duties including SAR work, Firefighting and station pumping. It is further equipped with a motorized RIB, deployed from a davit, and a recovery system c/w stokes litter. General arrangements and outfitting include a Command Center Room, Equipment Room, Medical Treatment Room, 4 person berth accommodations, and the Captains, Navigators and Engineers stations in the main Pilot House. The entire interior finish is durable yet appealing to the eye, accented with a level of wood trim. All systems are state of the art, logic controlled, with touch screens serving multiple duties.