VESSEL REPORT Fireboats
The 32 Courageous fireboat was delivered to Boca Raton (Fla.) Fire Rescue.
Put It Out By Ken Hocke, Senior Editor
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othing gets everyone’s attention — especially in the marine industry — quicker than the word FIRE. Wherever boats are found, onboard or off, you’ll find tools to fight fires. And when you’re fighting a fire on or from the water, the most important of these tools is the fireboat. It’s also the most expensive. Capt. Claude Klein was the master captain of the Port of New Orleans’ fireboat from 1994 until he retired in 2019. In an interview last year, he said the most important thing to remember when fighting a fire is to protect the fireboat. “The boat comes first because without the boat, the crew can lose their lives and you have no boat to fight the fire,” he said. “If your position is too dangerous, pull out and find another way in.” These types of vessels are precious commodities to their owners. They protect property and, at times, save lives.
METAL SHARK
Last summer, Jeanerette, La.-based shipbuilder Metal Shark introduced the 38 Defiant NXT, a welded-aluminum 24
monohull pilothouse model based on the company’s 38 Defiant platform. The first new vessel, the 43'x12" Fire Boat 2, was delivered to Orange Beach Fire Rescue in Orange Beach, Ala. The new 38 Defiant NXT utilizes the same hull form as the original but with an entirely new topsides arrangement designed by Metal Shark’s in-house engineering team. A Wing urethane-sheathed, closed-cell foam collar provides impact resistance during alongside maneuvers, a robust bow-pusher knee provides added utility, and a large dive platform and aft cockpit scuba tank racks have been added for divers. Orange Beach Fire Rescue’s new 38 Defiant NXT is powered by twin 550-hp Cummins QSB 6.7 inboard diesels mated to HamiltonJet HTX30 waterjets through Twin Disc MG-5065 SC transmissions. The configuration enables the fully equipped fireboat to cruise at 30 knots and reach top speeds in excess of 40 knots. The 38 Defiant NXT is available with a range of propulsion types and can reach top speeds of 50+ knots when powered by triple outboards. For firefighting, the Orange Beach fireboat delivers a flow rate of 3,000 gpm, with twin 1,500 gpm Darley fire pumps www.workboat.com • MAY 2022 • WorkBoat
Metal Shark
Boatyards are bringing the fight to the fire.
