New Orleans Fire Department News

A fire that broke out aboard a Mississippi River cruise vessel was found to be caused by combustible materials left unprotected near hot work, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday.The passenger vessel Natchez, used by the New Orleans Steamboat Company for daytime and dinner jazz cruises daily from the French Quarter in New Orleans, was moored and out of service when it went up in flames on May 3, 2022. The fire resulted in $1.5 million in damages to the vessel…

Without sacrificing utility or features, the Metal Shark 75’ Endurance and the Moose M3 models both provide multi-missioned platforms for the cash-strapped municipal sector. A crowded field for today’s domestic boatbuilders and a highly competitive marketplace finds builders trying to position their output and designs to a place that separates them from the pack. One place to do just that is in the market for maritime security workboats, particularly when it comes to local, state and municipal buyers. Municipal and state buyers want a great deal for their declining budget dollars. In response, builders are sharpening their pencils and putting together vessels that offer not only bang for the buck…

The Mariner Group announced it has been recognized again by Government Security News (GSN) as the Most Notable Seaport Security Solution in this year’s Airport, Seaport, & Border Security Awards Program. The awards program covers security initiatives completed within the past 12 months in categories ranging from Access Control to Underwater Surveillance and Integrated Security Programs. The GSN Awards acknowledge exceptional programs and technologies for security at airports, seaports and borders. Mariner’s submission described how CommandBridge—their situation awareness platform — challenges traditional security methods by emphasizing the importance of context. This contradicts the common misconception that simply adding extra sensors results in increased awareness.

In support of Super Bowl XLVII, a team of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies begin maritime safety and security operations on the lower Mississippi River, Monday. Response boats, patrol vehicles and enforcement personnel from more than 16 law enforcement agencies will conduct maritime security operations in the downtown New Orleans area and at the Port of New Orleans. All agencies will work together within a unified command, lead by the Port of New Orleans Harbor Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard, to provide a coordinated safe and secure environment for Super Bowl participants and the general public. This level of interagency coordination for the Super Bowl is the culmination of several months of planning involving all law enforcement agencies.

Moose Boats Announces Fire Boat Contract Award from West Pierce Fire and Rescue. Moose Boats, a boat designer and manufacturer in the San Francisco Bay Area, has been awarded a new contract from West Pierce Fire and Rescue in University Place, WA for the construction of a M2-37 Catamaran Fire Rescue Boat. The M2-37 is a 37’-0” aluminum catamaran powered by newly introduced twin Cummins 6.7ltr 425hp turbo diesels and is propelled by Hamilton 292 water jets. The vessel will provide West Pierce Fire and Rescue with fire fighting, rescue, dive and shore landing capabilities.

Moose Boats Awarded New Contract for City of New Orleans CBRNE Fire Rescue Vessel. Moose Boats, a boat designer and manufacturer in the San Francisco Bay Area, has been awarded a new contract from the New Orleans Fire Department for the construction of a M3-36 Monohull CBRNE Fire Rescue Boat. The M3 is a new product line for Moose Boats and incorporates the builder’s established design and quality reputation in a more compact platform than the M1 and M2 Catamaran Vessels. The M3-36 is a 36’-6” aluminum monohull powered by twin Yamaha 350hp four stroke outboard engines.

Personnel from Coast Guard Marine Safety Office New Orleans and the New Orleans Fire Department responded to a two-alarm fire aboard a ship on the Mississippi River near the Napoleon Street Wharf yesterday. All personnel aboard the 560-foot German-flagged container ship Libra Rio Grand safely evacuated after a fire was reported in the boat's engine room around 10:45 a.m. The engine room was sealed, and the ship's fire CO2 extinguishing system put out the fire. MSO New Orleans sent a pollution response team, investigating officer, and a foreign vessel inspection team to the scene to investigate. An HH-65 Dolphin helicopter rescue crew was also dispatched to conduct an overflight assessment. Two crewmembers were taken to Charity Hospital with minor injuries. No pollution was reported.