Naples Firefighters get their first official hand on experience with the new Marine 2. A 25' Safe Boat Defender procured from the USCG.
In early spring of 2019, the Naples Volunteer Fire Department became aware of the possibility of procuring a surplus water rescue boat from the USCG through the Federal GSAxcess program. Through the dedicated efforts of a few individuals the association was able to lock in the purchase and pick up the craft, formerly CG-25447, from Joint Base Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
A variant of the USCG Defender Class, Naples Marine 2 is a leap forward in firefighting and water rescue technology for the Sebago / Long Lake area of public waterways.
Over the next month a half dozen volunteers stripped down the boat, refinished the interior, installed electronics and repainted the foam collars to restore the boat to a better than new condition. Also installed was a thermal imaging camera and 500 gallon per minute pump capable of establishing portable water supplies and operating two fire monitors (deck guns) mounted on the craft. The project is estimated to have saved taxpayers over $200,000 and the boat would likely not have been possible without the investment of time and resources by the NVFA.
Members worked with the Town of Naples to install two new Yamaha 200 HP outboards, replacing the older Honda 225 motors.
All in all, the vessel is capable of 48 MPH, can respond anywhere on Long Lake within 16 minutes and be trailed or operated to Sebago Lake in 45 minutes, requires a minimum crew of two and can carry ten people in an emergency.
Thank you to everyone that made this project possible!
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