Lake Assault delivers landing craft vessels

By Baird Maritime - October 22, 2017.

Image: Brandon Barsugli – The 8.5-metre vessel is in service with the Bernardino County Fire Department in California.

Lake Assault Boats has delivered two fire and rescue boats to the San Bernardino County Fire Department (SBCFD) in California.

The Wisconsin firm’s landing craft-style vessels — one 8.5 metres long and 7.9 metres — are equipped to handle a range of emergency response scenarios.

Each are fitted with twin 220kW Mercury Verado outboard engines and include the Skyhook “digital anchor” and joystick piloting systems.

Both feature a 5,700-litre/minute Darley pump (powered by a dedicated V-8 engine), a TFT monitor and three discharge ports.

The larger craft is stationed at Needles and operates on the Colorado River.

“This boat serves multiple purposes along a vitally important stretch of the river; we can directly fight fire or support ground-based operations, and it has comprehensive dive and rescue capabilities,” said SBCFD engineer Brian Wells.

“It also is designed to serve as a wildland team personnel carrier and ATV transport, addressing just about any emergency scenario that we encounter along the river.”

The smaller vessel is stationed at Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake.