Fire Departments in South Carolina and Minnesota have recently accepted delivery of Response FR-28 and FR-31J boats built of welded aluminum by Viking Welding & Fabrication in Kensington, N.H. The boats were designed by Response Marine in Newburyport, Mass.
The FR-28 specifications were developed by Mount Pleasant Fire Department in South Carolina to improve firefighting and rescue capability in the coastal areas surrounding Mount Pleasant, which include Charleston Harbor, Gray Bay and Hamlin Sound. The boat was largely funded by a federal grant.
The 28'x 9.5' boat provides over 1,250 gpm of water flow at 150 psi through a any of a combination of the 1500 gpm foredeck monitor, the two aft 2.5" outlets, and the aft 5" Storz outlet. Primary propulsion is twin 225 hp Mercury Verado outboards providing sprint speeds of 43 mph. The pilothouse arrangement includes a convertible patient bench and dedicated fire control station. Instead of a traditional forward cuddy cabin, both the FR-280 and FR-31J feature a forward cockpit, which improves crew safety and helmsman visibility in situations where crew are required to work from the forward third of the boat.
The Response FR-31J design and outfitting were developed in partnership with the St. Paul Fire Department to suit the department’s protection mission on the Mississippi River. The 31'x10' boat provides over 3,000 gpm water flow through a combination of the 2,000 gpm forward monitor, the aft 1250 gpm monitor, the 1500 gpm foredeck monitor, two 2.5” outlets and a 5” Storz outlet. The fire fighting system also includes a 35 gal. foam tank and in-line eductor. Primary propulsion is twin 250 hp Mercury Verado outboards with a center jet driven by a Kodiak 6.0 liter, 375 hp engine providing sprint speeds of 48 mph with the jet and 42 mph without the jet. The jet discharge flows through a custom, 6" hydraulically operated diverter valve to provide propulsion and/or fire fighting. Navigation, rescue and recovery electronics include FLIR thermal imaging and Lowrance 4G color radar. The pilothouse arrangement includes a convertible patient bench, fire control station and a commander desk for navigation, communication and coordination. In addition to the oversized sliding door aft, the house features two side sliding doors for quick access to the side decks and forward cockpit.
Response FR-28
Hull Type: Vee, 15° aft.
Hull construction: welded aluminum
3/8”, ¼” & 3/16” 5086 marine plating
Mission: firefighting & rescue
LOA (hull): 27’ 8"
Beam: 9' 0", not including rub rails
Draft (hull): 1' 11”
Displacement: 11,500 lbs. (normal operating)
Main propulsion: Twin Mercury Verado, 225 hp
Fire system : Darley bronze w/ Kodiak 4.3 liter engine
Fuel capacity: 150 gal.
Crew: 2 to 4
Top speed: 43 mph
Auxiliary Equipment:
Air conditioning and heat: Dometic
Dive door: Starboard side dive doors w/ integral steps
Fire monitors: (1) Elkhart Stingray w/ Elkhart SM1250B
Fire hose outlets: (2) 2.5”, (1) 5” Storz
Discharge Valves: Elkhart Brass
Suction valve: 12 volt Hydraulic
Navigation: Raymarine
Radios: Motorola & ICOM
Seats: Bostrom SeaSpension & Sierra
Warning Lights: Whelen
Response FR-30J
Hull type: Modified Vee
Hull construction: welded aluminum
½”, 3/8”, ¼” & 3/16” 5086 marine plating
Mission: firefighting and rescue
LOA (hull): 31' 0"
Beam: 10' 2", not including rub rails
Draft (hull): 1' 9'
Displacement: 13,000 lbs.
Main propulsion: Twin Mercury Verado, 250 hp
Jet/Fire system : Kodiak 6 liter engine w/ American Turbine jet
Fuel capacity: 200 gal.
Crew: 2 to 6
Top speeds: 42 mph with outboards only, 48 mph with outboards & jet
Auxiliary Equipment:
Air conditioning and heat: Cruisair & Valad Electric
Bow thruster: Side Power SE-60
Davit: Radial Arm w/ 2 sockets & 500# winch
Doors: Aluminum 2000 & Diamond Sea Glaze
Dive door: (2) Side dive doors w/ integral steps
Fire monitors: (1) Elkhart Scorpion, 2,000 gpm, electric remote (1) Elkhart Stinger, 1,250 gpm
Fire hose outlets: (1) 90° Swivel x 5” Storz (2) 2 ½”
Fire valves: Elkhart Brass
Firefighting foam: 35 gal permanent tank
Generator: Kohler 7.5 kW
Jet/Pump valve and steering: 12 volt Hydraulic
Navigation and infrared: Lowrance and FLIR
Seats: Bostrom Torsion
Radios: Motorola and Lowrance
Warning lights and siren: Whelen
