TRI-PARTNERSHIP EXPORTS FIRST FIREFIGHTER

A tri-party partnership will design and build a new generation of firefighting vessels to meet the needs of the modern firefighting team.

The partnership, which has just announced its first export order, consists of Isle of Wight, UK boatbuilder Aluminium Marine Consultants, firefighting equipment supplier Angloco and naval architect Walker Marine Design.

The 14 metre multi-role firefighting vessel will be built at Cowes, Isle of Wight, for delivery by February 2019. It is part of a four vessel Fi Fi range offering vessels up to a 23m catamaran. It will be able to carry out multi-roles to meet the risk and hazards of modern day marine firefighting. It will have a maximum speed of 33 knots, will supply up to 4,500 litres per minute of water from three monitors and carry a full set of firefighting and medical equipment. The tri-party partnership spokesperson said that ‘the order was a vote of confidence for the UK marine industry, the UK economy and emerging export market for FiFi and multi-role vessels.‘

The vessels within the new range have a diverse array of configurations with both mono hull and catamaran; all the vessels have proven sea-keeping abilities with proven hull design with propulsion type to suit the task needs. The vessels have the options of waterjets, conventional propellers, Voith Linear jets and hybrid propulsion, with firefighting performance to meet the risk of the individual operators. This allows the range of vessels to offer high-performance for any marine-based emergencies.

The vessels can be supplied to type and classification approval and to meet NFPA 1925 and DNV Fi Fi regulations.

For operator versatility and flexibility, the 16 metre to 23 metre vessels have the option to be supplied with a system of demountable containers, called PODs. The PODs can be built in many configurations from open flatbed to a four side container, with canvas sides or multiple doors. The roles that the PODs can carry out can be suited to meet the necessary risk needs assessment and include functionalities such as drone operations, search & rescue and breathing apparatus support.