World’s Most Advanced Fireboat Headed to Houston
A two-week voyage through four Great Lakes and the Mississippi River will bring to the Port of Houston Authority the first of three high-performance fireboats to replace the current fleet. The new fireboats will equip the Port Authority’s firefighting team with the most sophisticated fleet in the world.
“As the nation’s busiest port in terms of foreign tonnage and home to one of the world’s largest petrochemical complexes, our firefighting team is second to none in protecting this national asset and the many who work here,” said Port Authority Executive Director Len Waterworth. “These new fireboats will strengthen these firefighters’ ability to save lives and property along the 25-mile long Port of Houston.”
The five-member crew includes three from the Port of Houston Authority’s Fire Department. The crew will bring the new craft across Lake Ontario and Lake Erie to Detroit, Mich. (May 22) and then across Lake Huron and Lake Michigan to Chicago, Ill (May 25). From Chicago, the journey continues on the Cumberland River with a stop at Lockport, Ill (May 26). Following the Illinois River, the fireboat sails on to St. Louis, Mo (May 27) and the Mississippi River with four stops on the way to New Orleans, La (May 31): Cape Girardeau, Mo (May 28), Memphis, Tenn. (May 29), Greenville, Miss (May 30), and Baton Rouge, La (May 31). A final stop will be made at Galveston, Texas (June 1) before arriving at the Port of Houston on about June 1, 2013.
The voyage is being made by Port Authority Senior Captain Glenn Hood, a 14-year veteran of the fire department, and Engine Operators Robert Lacour and Vic Vasquez, each with 10 years at the Port Authority. These professionals are members of highly trained firefighters and Hazardous Materials Response Teams. The firefighters are certified by the state of Texas as structural, marine, HazMat, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). All pilots and captains are licensed U.S. Coast Guard mariners.
The Port of Houston Fire Department currently operates four fire stations strategically stationed along the Houston Ship Channel. The personnel and equipment fight marine and land fires and respond to other emergencies in the upper ship channel.
The ship will be piloted by Captain Ron Peddle, an owner of MetalCraft Marine with 32 years of experience piloting ships and 34 years of building boats.