Shipbuilder Metal Shark has delivered two of three new welded-aluminum “50 Defiant” monohull pilothouse fireboats to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR).
Designed by Metal Shark’s in-house engineering team and built to Lloyds Registry Standard, the welded-aluminum monohull pilothouse fireboats “FB-21” and “FB-73” were acquired to boost MDFR’s maritime firefighting capability and will replace existing vessels in its fleet.
Compared to MDFR’s outgoing vessels, the new 55’ x 17.5’ Metal Shark fireboats offer faster speeds enabling shorter response times, greater pumping volume increasing firefighting effectiveness, and a next-generation design improving efficiency while affording greater safety to the firefighters that staff the vessels 24/7.
“These new vessels were selected by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue following a lengthy procurement process and countless hours of research and development to provide our crews with the safest, most modern and efficient maritime firefighting platform available in the market,” said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Marine Services Chief Andy Alvarez. “We worked closely with Metal Shark to develop a custom-tailored solution to equip our crews with the most sophisticated firefighting vessel possible, and we are thrilled to put these state-of-the-art, high performance fireboats to work for the over 2.7 million residents of Miami-Dade County.”
The new vessels feature an innovative pilothouse designed to deliver best-in-class visibility. The use of Metal Shark’s signature “pillarless glass” with reverse-raked windshield significantly reduces blind spots compared to conventional pilothouse fireboats with smaller, framed windows. An innovative two-tiered side window arrangement, with a second row of windows below the beltline, provides unmatched downward-angle visibility from the helm, crucial during man-overboard retrieval or while maneuvering alongside smaller vessels. A panoramic skylight array provides an unobstructed upward view when operating alongside ships or elevated structures, or during helicopter hoisting operations. The result is mission-enhancing visibility throughout the complete range of firefighting and rescue scenarios.
Designed for maneuverability and fast response, the new MDFR fireboats are powered by twin V8, 16-liter, 1,200-horsepower MAN D2862 LE456 inboard diesel engines coupled to Marine Jet Power (MJP) 350X waterjets via ZF500 transmissions, and reach a top speed in excess of 44 knots. The vessels may be operated from three different stations; each equipped with MJP’s Combinator digital controls and joystick Vector Control System for pinpoint maneuvering in close quarters situations. A fully-automatic Zipwake dynamic trim and ride control system enhances vessel performance, economy, comfort, stability and safety.
The new fireboats deliver a flow rate in excess of 8,500 GPM, with twin Darley ZFE 3000 self-priming fire pumps driven via PTO from the main engines. Each pump draws from its own dedicated in-hull sea chest, feeding a central manifold with crossover capability, which in turn supplies the entire system.
For the full press release visit: www.metalshark...