Confronted with a rash of on-the-water rescues and other emergency situations, the Bayonne Fire Department has ordered a new and more up-to-date fireboat.
Using a $228,196 grant from the federal Department of Homeland Security, the City Council at its Nov. 16 meeting authorized the purchase of a 27-foot weapon of mass destruction rescue vessel from Safe Boats International of Bremerton, Wash. The fireboat will not only be able to help rescue stranded boaters and other rescue situations on the water, but also detect biological and chemical weapons that might be used by potential terrorists.
Bayonne, which is part of what the FBI calls “the most dangerous two miles in America,” is home to a vast array of chemical and fuel storage facilities, and recently was named the potential target of an alleged New York City terrorist suspect.
“This will be very helpful when it comes to dock fires and things like that.” – Greg Rogers
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To help fund the purchase and modernize its water rescue operations, the Fire Department sought to obtain a sub-grant with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to get a modern vessel.
City taxpayers would pay about $84,000 of the total cost of about $305,000.
Dangerous waters
Known as The Peninsula City, Bayonne has water around 90 percent of its borders, according to Rogers. But when looking for a new fireboat, “It was also important to be conscious of the city’s economic situation, which means the need to find grant money to pay for it,” Rogers said. “We pursued grants and applied for a Ports Security Grant.”
He said the new boat is a significant upgrade and is similar in some ways to the smaller patrol boats used by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The safeboat has two outboard 225-horse power engines, and fire suppression capabilities – a fire pump – the old boat did not have.
“This will be very helpful when it comes to dock fires and things like that,” he said.
The boat will also be outfitted with technology for detecting weapons of mass destruction, such as gases used in warfare, as well as radio sensing equipment.
“Additionally,” he said, “the boat will be used to assist stranded boaters, secure floating corpses, investigate and monitor reported spills, assist area waters with high level emergencies, and support local events.”
With the approval of the City Council as of Nov. 9, Rogers said he anticipates the boat arriving in Bayonne within six months.