Moose Boats of Vallejo, California, recently handed over a new emergency response vessel to the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD).
The catamaran vessel will be operated by the SFFD’s Airport Division and will be used in case of emergencies requiring a search and rescue (SAR) response at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). It will be the second Moose response boat that SFO will have available for emergency calls in the waters surrounding the runways.
While many of the systems have been upgraded from the Airport Division's previous Moose Boat, the platform and controls have remained the same, enabling a seamless transition for pilots and crew, according to the builder.
The 46-foot (14-metre) vessel is equipped with a 1,000 gallon (3,800-litre) per minute pump, two Cummins QSC8.3 600hp (450kW) diesel engines, storage for over fifty 10-person liferafts, and a climate-controlled cabin featuring a dedicated patient care bench.
The vessel will be stored in a boathouse near Seaplane Harbor, allowing for rapid emergency response.
The Airport Division will retain its existing Moose fireboat as a reserve vessel to serve the community and airport when needed, ensuring continuous service during annual maintenance of the new boat.