(WOODINVILLE, Wash.) — WESMAR (Western Marine Electronics) delivered one of its powerful bow thruster systems to another fireboat this month. This one will be installed on a new fireboat for the city of San Francisco.
The new fireboat is being built by Vigor Fab of Seattle, a subsidiary of Vigor Industrial, and is scheduled for delivery next year. Per specifications its ability to maneuver and dock in tight situations and to hold steady during firefighting and rescue operations will be facilitated by WESMAR’s powerful Model V2-20 NS 100 HP stainless-steel, dual-prop, counter-rotating bow thruster system. The WESMAR thruster system carries an ABS Class Certification (PDA). The counter-rotating dual-prop design produces up to 40 percent more thrust and allows for installation in a smaller tunnel. The WESMAR package for this fireboat also includes a custom hydraulics system.
“WESMAR bow thrusters are preferred equipment in the fireboat industry so it was no surprise when in 2012 the San Francisco Fire Department asked us to contact Jensen Maritime Consultants of Seattle, the company designing the new fireboat,” said Bob Sentz, WESMAR vice president.
“We have supplied dozens of U.S. fireboats with bow thrusters. Most notable are the twin 137-foot, 500-ton New York fireboats Three-Fifty-Three and Fire Fighter Two; the 79-foot Boston fireboat American United; and the 65-foot City of Portland, Maine,'” said Sentz.
The 88-foot San Francisco fireboat will have a top speed of 11.5 knots in full load condition. It will be a high-volume water and foam pumping NFPA Type II fireboat capable of throwing water and/or firefighting foam from a distance of 300 feet to extinguish flames quickly and safely.
It will be equipped to provide water directly from the bay or ocean should shore-side fire mains be damaged by an earthquake.
