By Karen Robes Meeks
Long Beach harbor commissioners last week agreed to invest in the construction of two new fireboat stations by approving engineering design services for the projects.
Commissioners approved $50.1 million for Fireboat Station No. 15 to be built on the Main Channel and $51.6 million for Fireboat Station No. 20, which will be constructed in the port’s Inner Harbor.
“These fireboat stations will safeguard the Port and our customers in this new era of big ships,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “They will provide the best waterside response possible, maximize landside firefighting coverage and serve as a home for our new, state-of-the-art fireboats. With ships more than doubling in size in the last decade and cargo traffic breaking monthly records, this is a needed upgrade to Port safety.”
Each fireboat station will feature living quarters, a garage for firefighting equipment and a full waterside wharf with enclosure for the fireboat. They will also include water- and energy-efficient technology and other environmental-friendly features.
Station No. 15 is expect to be completed in 2020, with Station No. 20 opening a year later.
