ALTERNATE RESPONSE FIREBOAT
The port of New York-New Jersey’s 650 miles of shoreline is dotted with passenger terminals, container ports, national park and recreation areas, heliports, lumber and building supply yards, power plants, bulk-oil facilities, and ventilation and emergency exits for underwater tunnels. In addition, two of the fastest growing industries—the commuter ferry services and the dinner and party cruises—are located in the harbor itself.
Amidst this diversity, responsibility for preventing and extinguishing fires within the port rests with FDNY. By agreement, such responsibility extends from city limits and contiguous areas to as far westward on the water as the New Jersey pierhead line. For I ires involving waterfront property or vessels beyond the designated areas, official sanction for response is required from the fire commissioner or his designated representative.
Presently, FDNY protects the harbor using three marine companies operating from separate locations. Marine Company 1 is located on the Hudson River in Lower Manhattan. Marine 6 is berthed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, located on the East River between the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges. Marine Company 9 is located at the St. George ferry slip on Staten Island.
Until 1992, the marine companies operated steel-hulled fireboats capable of pumping from 8,000 (105-ft. class) to 20.000 (the 134 ft. Firefighter) gallons per minute. The top speed for these boats varied from 12 to 17 miles per hour, with the oldest vessel dating to 1931 (the 130-ft. John J. Hrvey). The newest vessel in the fleet at that time was built in 1961 (the 105-ft. Governor Alfred E. Smith).
THE KEVIN C. KANE FIREBOAT
In the latter months of 1992, the new 52-ft. aluminum-hulled fireboat Kevin C. Kane (named for Firefighter Kevin C. Kane, Ladder Co. 1 10. who was killed in the line of duty on October 13, 1991) was received by FDNY and placed in service on October 17. 1993, as an alternate response vessel assigned to Marine Company 6.
Built by Gladding-Heam Shipbuilding, the Kane, considered a shallow draft boat, has a breadth of 16 feet and a draft of 4 ft. 6 in. It is capable of speeds approaching 30 miles per hour. Two 650-horsepower Detroit 8V92TA diesel engines provide propulsion; two 400-horsepower Detroit 5V53TI diesel engines, coupled to two 2,500-gpm Goulds centrifugal fire pumps, provide pumping, for a rated capacity of 5,000 gpm. Propulsion and pumping can be performed simultaneously. The large volume of water is delivered through four stang monitors, the largest rated at 3.500 gpm. The Kane is also equipped with seven threeand one 4 1/2 inch discharge outlets. On receipt of an alarm, the officer of Marine Company 6 has the option of using its large steel-hulled fireboat or the smaller, shallow draft vessel.
The Kevin C. Kane has an on-board foam system supplied by a 100-gallon tank of foam concentrate, delivered directly to the forward monitor and the three forward three-inch outlets. The Kane may be used as a tender for other fireboats at extended operations or as a command vessel for large-scale fires and emergencies in the harbor.
The speed and shallow draft capabilities of the Kane make it especially advantageous for the following situations:
- persons(s) in the water;
- potential bridge jumper;
- small craft in distress;
- vehicle, helicopter, or light plane in the water;
- assistance in SCUBA operations; and
- Harlem River and other low-clearance responses.
A 12-foot inflatable boat mounted on board the Kane enables its crew to gain access to areas too great for its 4 ft. 6 in. draft.
The Kane has proven its versatility and effectiveness. It has responded to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where its shallow draft capability helped to fight a stubborn pier fire inaccessible to land units and conventional fireboats. The Kane’s high speed capability was tested while responding to a helicopter crash in the Atlantic Ocean, at the Ambrose Light Tower. It was also used in the rescue of the pilot of a dow’ned helicopter in the East River; it towed the downed craft to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where it was removed from the water. The Kane is an excellent platform for supporting SCUBA operations as well as assisting the in-water firefighting teams, formed in 1983. These teams fight these stubborn fires involving the substructure of piers inaccessible to land and marine units from within the water.
FDNY’s “alternate response vessel” will enhance the fire and rescue capabilities of the Marine Division. It can be used to augment the present fleet when necessary, such as during largescale harbor celebrations when additional marine protection may be needed. It may also be deployed to an area where boating activity increases during the summer season or used as a spare when a boat is taken out of service for repairs. It is also anticipated that its location will remain fluid. As the resources and needs of FDNY change, this vessel’s location will also change.
Since two new fireboats, the Ronaldson and the Devaney, were placed in service, the Kane has been used as a spare fireboat. It is used when one of our firefighting fleet boats needs servicing, allowing the company to remain in service while maintenance is performed on its assigned boat.
Photo courtesy of Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding.
