San Francisco taps Moose Boats for new response vessel

(VALLEJO, Calif.) — Moose Boats has secured a contract with the City and County of San Francisco to build an M1-46 fireboat to service the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The boat will be operated by the San Francisco Fire Department’s Airport Division.

According to San Francisco Fire, “The Airport Division is responsible for providing fire protection, fire prevention, code enforcement, emergency medical services, water rescue operations and hazardous materials abatement for the San Francisco International Airport.”

Moose Boats rendering

SFO is the 13th-busiest airport in the United States, accommodating over half a million passengers weekly. Moose Boats’ 46-foot M1 will be the rescue boat used by the San Francisco Fire Department in case of emergency at the airport.

The vessel will include a 1,500-gpm pump, twin turbo diesel Cummins QSC 8.3 600 HP engines, storage for over 50 life rafts (each capable of carrying 10 people), and a climate-controlled cabin featuring a dedicated patient care bench. The vessel will be stored in a boathouse near Seaplane Harbor, allowing for a rapid emergency response time.

Additionally, the San Francisco Fire Department Airport Division will retain its existing M1 Moose fireboat as a reserve vessel to serve the community and airport when needed, ensuring continuous service during annual maintenance of the new boat.

– Moose Boats

By Rich Miller