By Mark Edward Nero
Vigor Industrial subsidiary Vigor Fab has been awarded a contract to build a fireboat for the San Francisco Fire Department. Construction of the 88-foot by 25-foot by 14-foot vessel is expected to begin this fall in Seattle.
“We look forward to working with Vigor on this project and also to the day the new boat will be on the water protecting the people of San Francisco,” Assistant Deputy Chief Kyle Merkins of the San Francisco Fire Department’s Division of Homeland Security said.
The fireboat, designed by Jensen Maritime Consultants, is expected to have a top speed of 11.5 knots in full load condition and accommodate up to three crew members and four firefighters.
Its engines are EPA Tier III certified Cummins QSK19-M, which have a maximum horsepower of 750 BHP at 1,800 rpm, while its firefighting system will consist of six Stang fire monitors, according to Vigor, which will be supplied with water and foam from three 6,000-gpm fire pumps.
“We’ve been aggressively ramping up our ability to fabricate complex vessels,” Bryan Nichols, Vigor Fab’s sales director said. "This project is an excellent opportunity to put that preparation into action for our customer.”
The fireboat is scheduled to be delivered to the SF Fire Dept. by fall 2015.
