City of Rochester
News Release
(Thursday, May 6, 2021) — Rochester Fire Department Chief Felipe Hernandez Jr. announced today that Marine 1, a new fire/rescue boat, has been delivered to the Port of Rochester. Marine 1 provides substantially improved fire, rescue and medical water-based response capabilities as compared to the Department’s previous fire/rescue boat, a 17-ft. recreational motor boat.
“This vessel will enhance the Rochester Fire Department’s response capabilities in providing for the safety of the residents, businesses and boating community in the Charlotte neighborhood and the nearby waterways,” said Chief Hernandez.
Marine 1 is a 37-ft. mission-specific fire/rescue boat capable of simultaneously rescuing 6-8 people and pumping over 1500 gallons of per minute of water and/or fire suppression foam. The new vessel will expand the operational time frame into the cold weather months and enhance the safety of both citizens and firefighters in poor lake conditions. Marine 1 will be the most capable fire/rescue boat on the south shore of Lake Ontario.
Marine 1 will be deployed by Engine 19 (Lake Ave. Fire Station) Firefighters for water-based emergencies on Lake Ontario, within the Port of Rochester and on the Genesee River up to the Veterans Bridge at Rt. 104. For the last 9 months, RFD Firefighters have been receiving training through a collaborative effort with the N.Y. State Parks Police Marine Training Unit and the U.S. Coast Guard. Additional water rescue training that was delayed by COVID-19 will take place this summer.
The vessel was delivered May 3 by Moose Boats in Vallejo, Ca. Moose Boats was awarded the contract in April 2019 after an extensive project development process that began in 2013. That process included securing grant funds from N.Y. State Homeland Security and Emergency Services and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) Administration. The Department anticipates Marine 1 will be in service by July 1 and an upcoming christening ceremony and media day will be held at a date to be determined prior to the start of service for Marine 1.
###
For questions and inquires, contact: Lt. Jeffrey Simpson, RFD PIO/CRR at (585) 428-7676 or simpsonj@cityofrochester.gov.