New Fire Boat for the City of Chicago

Wheatley, Canada, February 25, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Cities need modern equipment to fight devastating fires.

The City of Chicago recently contracted Hike Metal of Wheatley, Ontario Canada to construct a new “heavy duty” NFPA 1925 Type III Fireboat to replace its 55 year old fireboat.

This sleek new 90 foot “state of the art” Fireboat is designed to break up to 12 inches of first year ice at 3 knots and can therefore operate year round on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River.

It is equipped with Caterpillar marine diesel engines; two 1,0000HP engines driving the main fire pumps for a total delivery capacity of 14,000 gallons per minute of water (and foam if required), at 150 PSI to fire monitors and hose hydrants, or the vessel can be used as a pumping station to supplement the cities firemain supply; and two 1,500HP propulsion engines, capable of driving the vessel at 12 knots.

The Fireboat will be operated by a crew of (5) during normal operations and a crew of (10) while in fire-fighting operation mode.

The vessel is equipped with special alloy propellers designed and made for the severe ice conditions it will operate in.

The Fireboat is heated and air-conditioned. It has a deckhouse designed to contain the pilothouse, a multi-purpose cabin which contains an emergency command center, an emergency medical treatment center, a decontamination station, and fire-fighting equipment storage.

Below decks there are crew accommodations, a mess area, and washroom facilities.

Hike Metal Products of Wheatley, established in 1963, is widely known for its excellent reputation in the quality construction of a variety of aluminum and steel boats for both Government and Commercial entities.

From Hike Metal Products Ltd, PO Box 698, Wheatley Ontario Canada N0P2P0 www.Hikemetal.com

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