News & Updates

Fireboat 2 Christened Into Service at Canaveral Dockside Ceremony

- Port Canaveral

In keeping with maritime tradition, Port Canaveral’s new high-tech firefighting vessel Fireboat 2 was recently christened and commissioned into service during a ceremony at the Port, and led by Canaveral Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral Wayne Justice (USCG-Ret.)

“For the past four years our Port has prepared for the arrival of LNG-fueling of cruise ships. Having our own specialized fireboat operating here and available for every refueling operation underscores our commitment to safety and security for our Port and the surrounding communities,” stated Capt. John Murray, Port CEO.  “Fireboat 2 is the only one of its kind in all of Florida. We are thankful to our Brevard legislative delegation for their support of our Port, and for helping to keep our community safe well into the future.”

The Canaveral Port Authority was the recipient of a $1.5 million local funding initiative of one-time state appropriation co-sponsored by Florida Senator Debbie Mayfield (Dist. 17) and Florida House Rep. Rene Plasencia (Dist. 50) and included in the Florida Division of Finance FY 2019-2020 Office of the Fire Marshal budget. Port Canaveral also received a $1 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Port Security Grant Fund to support the $4.7 million acquisition cost of the specialized firefighting vessel.

“The Port is growing rapidly and is a great partner for the economic development of the Space Coast, and I am honored to be part of the process, getting us to where we are right now,” said Senator Mayfield who christened Fireboat 2.
  
Fireboat 2 is maintained in a 24/7 ready state and operated for Port Canaveral by Canaveral Fire Rescue.  The highly specialized Marine Firefighting Rescue Vessel (MFRV) was custom-built for Port Canaveral by Jeanerette, La.-based shipbuilder Metal Shark. The model “70 Defiant” vessel provides enhanced marine firefighting and response capabilities to serve Port Canaveral’s expanding maritime and commercial space industry operations. The MFRV capabilities are a Port-wide and regional asset, available for immediate callout for all emergencies in the Port area. It enhances several National Preparedness Core Capabilities, including Fire Management and Suppression, Emergency Medical Services, and CBRNE Screening, Search and Detection. The MFRV will also be equipped with a communications system to function as an On-Scene command vessel for any maritime mass rescue operations.