From Firehouse.com:
The Chicago Fire Department has taken delivery of a Metal Shark Boats 38 Defiant NXT fire boat. The all-weather boat is equipped and powered by triple 350-hp Mercury Verado outboard motors.
Key features include SHOXS shock-mitigating seating, full Raymarine Axiom navigation suite, FLIR 400 XR thermal imaging system, and Metal Shark’s exclusive new hinged dive door. The vessel’s bow monitor and rear discharge are fed by a 1,000-GPM Darley fire pump driven by a dedicated Kodiak 4.3L V6 engine.
thanks Zach
#1 by Bill Post on June 10, 2022 - 8:47 PM
So is “fast boat”685 still around. I would imagine that would now be spare boat I am I correct? I have another question will 688 and 689 have Water Patrol Districts? For example 688 could cover the Lake Front north of the River or the Locks while 689 could cover the Area South of the Locks along the Lake at Grant Park.
Or will they just remain at their Docks and take turns as to who will be the first due boat?
It brings back some memories of the Chicago’s Old Jet Boats from the early to the Mid 1960s. There were a total of 5 of them and there headquarters were at the Jackson Park Harbor approxmately 6500 south Lake Shore Drive during the off season. During the boating season they were usually Stationed and Patrol around downtown and the Grant Park and Near North Lake front and sometime would be stationed with Old Fire Boat Engine companies 41 and 37 as well as off of Meigs Field.
#2 by Rich S. on May 18, 2022 - 6:30 AM
Fred, they will be assigned to the boat same as 6-8-8. They are not filled spots as of now so for now they will be detailed in.
#3 by Fred on May 16, 2022 - 2:46 PM
Are those assigned to the boat fleet stationed on the river by the locks or are they coming from Engine assignments??
#4 by crabbymilton on May 16, 2022 - 11:33 AM
I was figuring along those lines Chuck but not certain. Funny that land vehicles seem to be fine with one engine. Oh well Thanks again.
#5 by Chuck on May 16, 2022 - 10:01 AM
3 small engines vs. 1 big one is a redundancy factor for safety. One engine goes out, or two, you can still get back home. One big engine goes out, the rescuers need rescued.
#6 by crabbymilton on May 16, 2022 - 9:03 AM
I’m not much of a boat person so someone please why 3 engines when one with the same HP rating would suffice? Probably a logical reason which I fail to see and it may click later.
#7 by Rich S. on May 13, 2022 - 4:46 PM
I believe it will be numbered 6-8-9. This will be a second “fast boat” with 1 officer, 1 Engineer, 2 FF’s (all will be divers) assigned. This will bring the ASR compliment to 2 Fast boats 6-8-8/6-8-9 with divers, 2 Helicopters (1 as a spare) 6-8-1/6-8-2 and a land based truck 6-8-7
#8 by Chicagoland fire photos on May 13, 2022 - 2:00 PM
This will be 6-8-9 correct
#9 by Mike hellmuth on May 13, 2022 - 1:32 PM
Great looking fireboat!!!!