Vigor completes Seattle fireboat renovation

MARCH 25, 2013 — Seattle, WA, based naval architecture and marine engineering company Guido Perla & Associates, Inc. (GPA) reports the on time and within budget completion of a major renovation of the fireboat Chief Seattle at Vigor Marine’s Everett, WA, shipyard.

Under the direction of the City of Seattle’s Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS), GPA’s team managed the project from initiation to delivery, working closely with FAS, Vigor Marine and the Seattle Fire Department.

The 96 feet 6 inches Chief Seattle, built in 1984, replaces the Alki, built in 1927, as the city’s primary freshwater fireboat. The overhaul extends the vessel’s service life by about 20 years.

GPA developed contract specifications and plans and assisted the City of Seattle in administrating the refurbishment of the fireboat to NFPA 1925 Type II standard.

The work included giving the fireboat a new superstructure and pilot house with an emergency command center, complete replacement of electronic navigation and communications equipment, plus adding an infrared surveillance system, a new medical treatment room, crew day room and head, as well as a new rescue boat and boat recovery system.

The renovation also included the replacement of three 1,012 hp propulsion engine with pump drives with two 1,522 hp propulsion engines, reduction gears, new shafts and propellers.

Also installed were two 715 hp fire pump engines with four 2,500 gpm pumps, new fire-fighting system with foam capability, one new motorized fire monitor, two refurbished under-wharf motorized monitors, three manual monitors and three hose manifolds.

Chief Seattle is now equipped with systems, engines and pumps capable of pumping 10,000 gal/min compared to 7,500 gal/min before the overhaul and can travel at a top speed of 22 knots.

The delivery completes a Seattle fireboat fleet upgrade that has added two additional vessels in recent years, the Engine One and Leschi.

“The completion of the Chief Seattle enhances the Seattle Fire Department’s ability to protect the Seattle maritime community both on the freshwater and on the saltwater. We are proud to be part this local project that boosts the firefighting capabilities to handle not only fires but also water rescues, and Port Security,” says Guido Perla, Chairman Perla & Associates, Inc.

The renovation project adds to GPA’s already extensive experience in providing design and engineering services for emergency response vessels operating in various ports in the U.S. Such newbuild and renovation projects include fireboats for the Honolulu and Seattle Fire Departments, as well as multiple offshore vessels certified with FiFi capabilities operating worldwide for a variety of offshore clients.