Assemblymember Brian Maienschein Secures $1.25 Million For A New High Performance Fireboat

New vessel will aid in search and rescue, marina and shore fires, and other essential life-saving duties

SAN DIEGO—Assemblymember Brian Maienschein, along with Mayor Todd Gloria and San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) Chief Colin Stowell, announced funding from the state budget to procure a new high performance fireboat. SDFD’s Marine II, a Type 4 Fireboat I that has been in service since 1991, will be replaced by a high performance fireboat similar to SDFD’s Triton, an All Hazards Response Type 4 Fireboat.

“I’m thrilled to be able to support SDFD as they valiantly fulfill their mission to keep swimmers, boaters, and others safe on our waterways,” said Assemblymember Brian Maienschein. “This custom-built vessel will combine the maneuverability of the 32 foot Marine II it replaces with the high-tech capabilities of the Triton, a 2021 addition to SDFD’s marina.”

“To keep the public safe, our first responders need state-of-the-art equipment and vehicles,” added Mayor Todd Gloria. “By securing $1.25 million in the state budget for a new fire boat for our Fire-Rescue Department, Assemblymember Brian Maienschein is helping us provide the support our lifeguards need to maintain the highest level of public safety services along our coastline.”

Additionally, Fire Chief Colin Stowell shared, “We are grateful that Assemblymember Maienschein allocated funding for us to design and purchase a new fireboat. This new addition to our fleet is long overdue and will benefit San Diegans as well as visitors to our beautiful beaches.”

After a competitive Request for Proposal process, the fire department expects the boat to be constructed in 12-18 months. The new high performance fireboat will likely emulate the features of the current Triton vessel, just shortened for greater maneuverability and with minor technological upgrades. The Triton is able to deploy 2,500 gallons of water per minute as it draws water from the ocean or a bay. (For comparison, the Fire Rescue’s fire trucks deploy 1,500 gallons per minute.) Notable features include three water monitors to extinguish fires, forward looking infrared (FLIR) to assist navigation during inclement weather, side-scan sonar for underwater searches, and the detection of nuclear material, among others.

With those features, the new fireboat will be able to take on marine firefighting, vessel salvage & pump-out, heavy towing, all maritime hazards response, and more. This state of the art vessel will help safeguard San Diego and Mission Bay.