Port of Houston’s New ERV Homeport Bound

A two-week voyage through four Great Lakes and the Mississippi River will bring to the Port of Houston Authority (ETA May 28, 2014) the third of its three new high-performance emergency response vessels (ERVs).

"The Port of Houston is one of the nation's busiest ports, and protecting this national asset is essential to the economic well-being of Houston, Texas and the nation," said Port Authority Executive Director Roger Guenther. "This vessel completes our new fleet, providing our firefighters with the advanced equipment needed to help save lives and property along the Houston Ship Channel."

The Port of Houston Fire Department operates three fire stations, strategically stationed along the 52-mile-long Houston Ship Channel. Certified emergency professionals respond to marine and land fires and other emergencies along the upper ship channel.

A four-member crew, which includes two from the Port of Houston Authority's Fire Department, is escorting the vessel home to Houston.

The voyage is being made by Assistant Chief Mike Oder, Sr. a 34-year veteran of the Port Authority's Fire Department, and Assistant Chief Jason Roberts, a 13-year veteran of the firefighting team, who are a
part of a 57-member department of highly trained firefighters and Hazardous Materials Response Teams.

The firefighters are certified by the state of Texas as Structural Firefighter, Marine Firefighter, HazMat Technician and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). All pilotsand captains are licensed U.S. Coast Guard mariners.

Port of Houston adds that the ship will be piloted on the trip by Captain Ron Peddle, an owner of
MetalCraft Marine with 33 years of experience piloting ships and 35 years of building boats.

To travel along with the new emergency response vessel as it makes its way to Houston, follow posts by the Port Authority on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/PortofHouston or on Twitter @Portof_Houston.