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Response Marine-  
    Fire/Rescue Boats- Recent Deliveries

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Videos:

(Additional videos are on YouTube at: www.youtube.com/user/responsemarine)

Viking- Response FR-30J, Fire/Rescue, Running (46mb .wmv)  
                      Lower Resolution Version (5mb .wmv)
  

Viking-Response FR-29J, 29x9, Fire/Rescue (20mb .mp4)

Viking-Response FR-28J, 28x10 Fire/Rescue (20mb .mp4)



Viking- Response FR-30J, Fire/Rescue, Flowing (36mb .wmv)
                     Lower Resolution Version (4mb .wmv)
  

 Viking- Response FR-30J, Fire/Rescue, Dive Door (8mb .wmv)
                     Lower Resolution Version (1mb .wmv)


Viking- Response FR-225, Fire/Rescue, Running, (5mb .mp4)

Viking- Response FR-225, Fire/Rescue, Pumping, (29mb .mp4)


            Fire Departments in Maryland and Michigan have recently accepted delivery of  Response FR-280J and FR-290J fire/rescue boats built of welded aluminum by Viking Welding & Fabrication in Kensington, NH.  The boats were designed by Response Marine in Newburyport, MA, in one case replacing a nineteen year old 27 footer, also designed by Response Marine. 

The FR-290J specifications were fully developed by the Tenth District VFD in Charles County, Maryland to serve the departments responsibilities in the Lower Potomac River Basin.   According to Response Marine’s Jim Comosa, “We worked off our successful Charlotte hull which is 30’x10’, but it was a big challenge to fit the required outfitting and larger cabin in the specified 29’x9’ hull. We spent a lot of time tweaking the 3D computer model, adjusting the bottom and chine shape, in order to optimize the boat’s trim angles.”  The result is an easily trailered, 29’ x 9’ hull with significant capabilities and over 50 mph top speed.  While some features are common to Viking Welding’s other boats, company owner Don Johnson adds, “This boat offers about  as much capability as we could fit into a 9’ beam package.” 

The boat is powered by twin 300 horsepower Yamaha outboards and includes a separate 380 hp inboard engine to power a jet pump, which may be used both to power the boat and to provide water to the fire fighting system.  Sprint speed of the 12,500 pound boat is over 50 mph, and the fire flow is in excess of 3,500 gallons per minute.  The arrangement of the fire fighting system is such that the boat may supply shore with large diameter hose, as well as directly fight fires with handlines and the bow and stern monitors.  The house includes two permanent EMS benches as well as twin shock absorbing seats.   A sophisticated navigation and communications package delivers full navigation and search capabilities in conditions of no visibility.  The system includes side scan sonar, thermal imaging, radar and redundant GPS/depth charting.  Other features of the boat include a 120 volt system with shorepower and 7.5 Kw generator, providing an impressive 6,000 watts of AC scene lighting, air conditioning and heat. 

            The shorter & wider Response FR-280J was built for Glen Lake Fire Department in Glen Arbor, Michigan. The 28’x10’ hull is rigged with twin Mercury Verado 225 hp outboards, the same 380 hp jet/pump arrangement, and less extensive accessory outfitting.  This boat will respond to Lake Michigan and Glen Lake.


            Charlotte Fire Department has recently accepted delivery of a Response FR-30J fire/rescue boat built of welded aluminum by Viking Welding & Fabrication in Kensington, NH.  The thirty foot boat will increase substantially the emergency response capabilities in and along Lake Wylie, and in emergencies it may be trailered to other area lakes.

            The boat was designed by Response Marine in Newburyport, MA in close conjunction with members of the Charlotte Fire Department with an emphasis on safety, reliability and mission capability.  While some features are common to Response Marine’s other fire/rescue boats, Bill Lincoln of Response Marine says, “This boat offers about  as much capability and versatility as we can fit into a 30’, high speed package.”  The boat is powered by twin 250 horsepower Mercury Verado outboards and includes a separate 380 hp inboard engine to power a jet pump, which may be used to power the boat and provide water to the fire fighting system.  Sprint speed of the 13,000 pound boat is 48 mph, and the fire flow is in excess of 3,500 gallons per minute.  The arrangement of the fire fighting system is such that the boat may be used for shore supply as well as directly fighting fires with handlines and the bow monitor.  On board foam tankage provides for the application of fire fighting foam by handline.

            The boat has a sophisticated navigation and communications package that delivers full navigation and search capabilities in conditions of no visibility.  The system includes side scan sonar, thermal imaging, GPS charting and radar.  Additionally, for dive operations there is a built-in diver communication system enabling open communication between divers and surface personnel.  This is critical in the very restricted visibility of Lake Wylie, as surface personnel are able to use the sonar to identify objects and hazards in the water and direct the divers to move accordingly.

            Other features of the boat include a full 120 volt system with shorepower and 7.3 Kw generator, air conditioning and heat.


North Sea, NY and East Hartford, CT are the lastest recipients of fire/rescue boats from Viking Welding & Fabrication in Kensington, NH.  Both boats were designed by Response Marine in welded aluminum and have extensive custom features.  North Sea’s Response FR-30 from emphasizes dive and rescue functions in shallow waters and rough inlets.   In the boat’s first days of service, Dive Crew Chief Mark Jennerich was called on to aid a swamped 19’ boat in steep six foot chop.  There were 9 passengers, one infant and no PFD’s.  According to Crew Chief  Jennerich,  “We were called in to assist, and upon arriving I knew we had the boat for the job.  Despite only a few hours in training, my crewmate and I were able to come in cleanly and take the infant and 6 others to safety.  I credit most of that to the boat, which handles extreme conditions very, very well.  Safety of the crew was our top priority in selection of the boat, and the safety and stability of this boat has exceeded our expectations.” 

The 30 foot hull features a sharp entry with generous flare and is driven by twin 225 horsepower Honda outboards.  Rescue functions are facilitated by twin dive doors, underwater lighting, FLIR thermal imaging, and twin Raymarine E-120 displays. The eight man pilothouse includes a 6’ patient bench, refrigerator and generous storage lockers.  A Darley 64 hp fire pump, generator and an extensive electrical system complete the outfitting.         

The Response FR-260 delivered to East Hartford is a jet driven, flat bottomed landing craft.  A 300 horsepower Mercruiser turns a 274 Hamilton Jet, which is pod-mounted to avoid aeration of the jet.  Equipment includes a Darley 34 hp fire pump, twin side dive doors, interchangeable davit, extensive scene lighting, and a Garmin side scaning sonar system complete the outfitting.         

The Somerset, Massachusetts Fire & Police departments have taken delivery of the latest design from Response Marine, Inc..  Built by Viking Welding in Seabrook, NH this boat offers substantial firefighting, rescue and enforcement capabilities with a top speed of 42 mph.  Newly developed features for this multi-agency craft include an island walk-around pilothouse and remote infrared imaging.   

The firefighting system delivers water to a 1,250 gpm forward monitor as well as a 2 1/2" and two 1 1/2" outlets.  Additionally, there is a built-in foam system drawing from two 25 gallon tanks for Class A and Class B foams.  

The machinery installations are aft under a flush deck and include a 220 hp engine driving the bronze Hale fire pump.  Forward of the machinery compartment is a 360 degree walk-around cockpit deck with a hinged dive door and a fully enclosed pilothouse with full length, hinged EMS bench.   

The hull design is a modified Vee, and features relatively steep forward sections to ease the ride.  This is fire/rescue boat number nineteen for Response Marine, each of which has been developed on a custom basis.   For this boat they widened the beam and added considerable flare forward in order to increase deck area at the bow and forward quarters.  Bottom construction is a combination of 3/8" and 1/4" plating and includes four watertight bulkheads for increased damage survivability.

Other current & recent fire/rescue projects include:

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