Charlotte Fire Department Takes Delivery of New Fire Rescue Boat

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Charlotte Fire Department has recently accepted delivery of a Response FR-30J fire/rescue boat built of welded aluminum by Viking Welding & Fabrication in Kensington, NH. The 30 foot boat will increase substantially the emergency response capabilities in and along Lake Wylie, and in emergencies it may be trailered to other area lakes.

The boat was designed by Response Marine in Newburyport, MA in close conjunction with members of the Charlotte Fire Department with an emphasis on safety, reliability and mission capability.

The boat has a sophisticated navigation and communications package that delivers full navigation and search capabilities in conditions of no visibility. The system includes side scan sonar, thermal imaging, GPS charting and radar. Additionally, for dive operations there is a built-in diver communication system enabling open communication between divers and surface personnel. This is critical in the very restricted visibility of Lake Wylie, as surface personnel are able to use the sonar to identify objects and hazards in the water and direct the divers to move accordingly.