America's Sea Services Building Large Fleet of Small Ships and Craft
Not every vessel in the U.S. Navy is built for major combat operations on the high seas. There are large numbers of boats and service craft that provide essential services to the sea services, the nation and its partners.The U.S. Navy procures about 100 small boats per year. Some of these boats are based on commercial designs, procured to a Navy developed specification that tailors the requirements to the end user needs. They are procured and managed by two Naval Sea Systems Command program officesâPMS 300 and PMS 325.Compared to warships and auxiliariesâŚ
Putnam County FD Orders Pair of Lake Assault Fireboats
The Putnam County Fire Department, located midway between Atlanta and Augusta, Ga., has purchased two identical Lake Assault Boats craft scheduled for delivery later this year. The vessels will assist the department in providing fire suppression and emergency response services on Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair, as well as on the land surrounding both.âOur department protects 185 miles of shoreline, which includes hydropower facilities, single family homes, vacations homes, and secluded neighborhoods that are not served by fire hydrantsâŚ
Lake Assault Boats Adds New Sales & Service Dealer
Superior Wis. fire, patrol, and rescue craft builder Lake Assault Boats, part of Fraser Industries, has named Banner Fire Equipment, Inc. â of Roxanna, Illinois â as its sales and service dealership for Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and portions of Illinois. âAdding Banner Fire Equipment to our dealer network is great news for fire departments and law enforcement agencies in the region that have protection areas with on-the-water responsibilities,â said Bob Beck, director of sales and marketing at Lake Assault Boats.
Lake Assault Boats Expands on US East Coast
Superior, Wis.based patrol, fire and rescue craft builder Lake Assault Boats has opened a 14,800 sq. ft. repair, service and maintenance facility in Portsmouth, Va. Marine industry veteran, Smokey Glover, along with his team of five highly regarded and experienced technicians (all formerly with Willard Marine) will lead and support the operation.The full-service operation will focus on repair, overhaul and maintenance services. The team can be dispatched on an as-needed basis to locations anywhere around the globe.âWe are beyond excited to add a large and well-equipped hub facilityâŚ
RIBs: Turn Up the Power
However readers might define ânormalâ, 2020 was anything but. But the business of rigid inflatable boats (RIB) has been going at full throttle.Matthew Velluto, Director of Business Development and Marketing at RIBCRAFT USA, based in Marblehead, Mass., described a business moving steadily ahead, though itâs had to weave and bob at times during 2020. âWeâve been able to stay open throughout 2020, with no disruptions on our side,â though he acknowledged hiccups further down in the companyâs supply chain. He explains that the business was deemed to be âessentialâ.
For Fireboats, The Heat is On
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 âmore bang for their buck,â combining multiple missions â and the equipment that makes it all possible â onto one hull. Thatâs 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 customersâŚ
St. Croix Upgradess with New Lake Assault Boats Craft
The St. Croix County Sheriffâs Office in Hudson, Wisconsin, earlier this summer took delivery of a Lake Assault Boats rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB). The new boat enhances the officeâs patrol capabilities and water-based emergency rescue operations on a 27-mile stretch of the St. Croix River, a National Scenic Riverway.âOur stretch of the St. Croix River is a heavily used recreational area, with many cabin cruisers, houseboats, and all types of pleasure craft while, further northâŚ
28-ft. Lake Assault Boat Delivered
Lake Assault Boats, part of Fraser Shipyards, placed a 28-foot vessel into service with the Town of Gibraltar Fire Department located in northern Door County, Wisconsin. The craft provides emergency response and firefighting services for a large section of shoreline and islands located on Lake Michiganâs Green Bay. The purchase of the boat was funded entirely through the Gibraltar Fire-Rescue Association, a local non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.Placed into service earlier this summer, the boatis designed to respond to a wide range of on-the-water emergencies.
Pittsburgh Selects Lake Assault Boats
The City of Pittsburgh River Rescue Unit selected Lake Assault Boats to build a 30-ft.EMS river rescue vessel, for delivery later this year.The boatâs catamaran style hull is engineered for enhanced stability and maneuverability, and it is powered by two Yamaha 425 hp outboard engines . Slow speed maneuvering is controlled by Yamahaâs Helm Master joystick steering and digital anchoring system. The vessel also will feature a 74-in. hydraulically operated bow door, a heated front deckâŚ
New Lake Assault Boats Fireboat
The Rabun County Fire Services, located in the northeast corner of Georgia, has placed a Lake Assault Boats fireboat into service on Lake Rabun, an 835-acre reservoir with 25 miles of shoreline. The new craft provides fire suppression and emergency response services for homeowners, visitors, and Georgia Power facilities located on the lake.âThe combination of hydroelectric plants and a growing number of high-end waterfront single family homes in a region susceptible to wildfires make our on-the-water emergency response capabilities a critical part of our departmentâs missionâŚ
Waco Takes Delivery of Lake Assault FireBoat
The Waco Fire Department has taken delivery of a custom-built Lake Assault Boats fireboat and rescue craft. The new vessel provides a wide range of emergency response services on Lake Waco (a 12-square-mile body of water located within the city limits) as well as a section of the Brazos River that flows through the departmentâs protection area in central Texas. The craft was purchased through Lake Assault Boatsâ listings on GSA Advantage Schedule 84 that includes Marine Craft.A pair of 225 hp Honda outboard engines supplies power for the 26-foot craft.
New Fireboat Delivered in Nevada
A new 32-foot fireboat, named Marine 24, has been delivered to the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (TDFPD) in Lake Tahoe, Nev. The new craft, custom-built by Lake Assault Boats, has been engineered to respond to a wide range of emergencies including structural and wildland fires, and on-the-water rescue operations. âWe are thrilled to have this Lake Assault fireboat serve with the Tahoe Douglas FPD to help protect lives, property and natural resources on one of our nationâs most revered bodies of water,â said Chad DuMars, Lake Assault Boats vice president of operations.
Electric & Hybrid Drives Are Gaining Steam on the Waterfront
Demand for electric mobility is sweeping across the globe, and itâs rapidly gaining traction in the marine industry. The electric mobility revolution is largely being driven by the land transportation sector. Industry statistics predict that electric vehicle sales will surpass combustion engine vehicles within the next 20 years. Many countries in Europe and Asia have already adopted aggressive deadlines to phase out sales of combustion-powered vehicles, and some cities such as London are planning to banish them from their roads entirely.
New Patrol Boat Delivered in Minnesota
Lake Assault Boats said it has delivered a 28-foot rescue vessel to the Hennepin County Sheriffâs Water Patrol Unit located in Minneapolis, Minn. Purchased from the General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule, the vessel will assist in rescue and recovery operations along the Mississippi River. The vessel is powered by a pair of Mercury Verado 300 hp engines with digital throttle, shift and power steering, as well as the Mercury Joystick Piloting and Skyhook Digital Anchoring systems.
New Fireboat Delivered in Pittsburgh
Lake Assault Boats said it has delivered a 34-foot fireboat to the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire in Pittsburgh, Penn. The vessel is the departmentâs first new dedicated fireboat since 1974. The new fireboat, named after Pittsburghâs first female mayor, Sophie Masloff, who passed away in 2014, was dedicated on October 27. In a formal ceremony, the former mayorâs eldest granddaughter broke a bottle of champagne on the boatâs gunnel as it was launched into the Ohio River. The Lake Assault deep V-hull fireboat respond to emergencies and help manage fires on the waterwaysâŚ
Pair of Fire/Rescue Boats Now on Duty
Boat builder Lake Assault Boats has placed two fire and rescue boats into service with the San Bernardino County Fire Department in California. The versatile landing craft style vessels â one 28 feet long and the other 26 feet long â are equipped to handle a wide range of emergency response scenarios. âHaving two of our boats on duty with the San Bernardino County Fire Department is an honor,â said Chad DuMars, Lake Assault Boats vice president of operations. The 28-foot craft is stationed in Needles, Calif. and serves on the Colorado River.
Lake Assault River Barges Arrive in San Antonio
Lake Assault Boats a manufacturer of purpose-built and mission-specific work boats, fireboats, and rescue vessels â recently delivered 24 of the 43 custom river barges purchased by the City of San Antonio, Texas. The custom boats are a vital and integral component of the vibrant San Antonio River Walk that lies one story below the cityâs streets, hugging the San Antonio River and connecting retail stores, restaurants, office buildings, and major tourist attractions. The boats will serve as touring and dining vessels and also as water taxis.
Lake Assault to Build Pittsburgh Fireboat
Lake Assault Boats, a leading manufacturer of purpose-built and mission-specific fire and rescue boats, has been chosen to construct a 34-foot fireboat by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire in Pittsburgh, PA. The fireboat will respond to emergencies and help manage fires on waterways, waterfronts, rail lines, and marinas that lie along the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, which join together in Pittsburgh to form the Ohio River. The contract is valued at more than $540,000. The craft will be delivered in summer 2017. âWe are thrilled to be appointed by the City of Pittsburgh and its Equipment Leasing Authority to engineer and construct this extremely powerful fireboat to protect resources that lie along the cityâs iconic riverfront areasâŚ
Lake Assault to Build 43 Barges for San Antonio
Lake Assault Boats said it has secured a $6.5 million contract to build 43 river barges for the City of San Antonio, Texas. The versatile and reconfigurable craft will become a component of San Antonioâs River Walk experience that connects retail stores, restaurants, office buildings and tourist attractions throughout the city. City officials visited Lake Assault facilities on December 6 and 7 for preproduction meetings. At that time, a ceremony was held where John Jacks, interim director for the City of San AntonioâŚ
Lake Assault Boats Available Through GSA
Lake Assault Boats, part of Fraser Shipyards and a manufacturer of purpose-built, mission-specific fire and rescue boats,has announced that the companyâs boats are now listed on the U.S. governmentâs General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule. Government agencies, including most municipal fire departments and law enforcement organizations can use GSA Schedule contracts â which contain pre-negotiated prices, delivery terms, warranties, and other terms and conditions â to streamline the process and leverage the buying power of the federal government.
Lake Assault Fireboat Assists with Foss Lake Wildfire
A Lake Assault fireboat, owned and operated by the Lake Vermilion Fire Brigade, provided support for wildland firefighting efforts during the Foss Lake wildfire near Ely, Minn. earlier this spring. The 33-foot craft was used to haul up to 20-person crews, and their canoes and equipment to staging areas to fight the blaze. The fire, located approximately 10 miles west of Ely, Minnesota in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), consumed a total of 936 acres and was contained and controlled on June 2nd.
Custom Fireboat Delivered in Texas
Lake Assault Boats, manufacturer of purpose-built and mission-specific fire and rescue boats, has placed into service a 28-foot fireboat with the City of Conroe Fire Department in Conroe, Texas. The craft was delivered in mid-May. Assistant fire chief for the City of Conroe Fire Department, Paul Sims, said, âWhen our purchasing committee put out for bids, we received eight quotes from different fireboat manufacturers from across the country. We carefully evaluated each and every one to compare specs, prices, and company history and reputation.
Vessel Aids Fire Emergency While in Final Testing
Lake Assault Boats, manufacturer of purpose-built and mission-specific fire and rescue boats, recently assisted the Superior, Wis. Fire Department in its response to a fire on an ore boat at Fraser Shipyards. At the time, a team from Lake Assault was in the final stages of testing the 28-foot fireboat destined for the City of Newburgh, N.Y. After its assist â by providing a water supply for the Superior FD â the craft was placed into service with the City of Newburgh Fire Department.