The Warren Fire Department now has one of the most well-equipped marine rescue units in the state, with the addition this month of a 25-foot fire and rescue boat that for the last 10 years has served duty with the United States Coast Guard.

Warren’s “new” boat, purchased and outfitted for just under $150,000 of capital projects money approved by voters earlier this year, went in the water earlier this month. Harbormaster Ed Cabral is training five fire department members in its nuances, and he expects the bright red rescue vessel will be ready for calls by next month.

“It’s a huge improvement,” Mr. Cabral said as he steered her out of the no wake zone on the Warren River Friday morning and hit the throttle toward Prudence Island.
“It’s very user friendly, a great boat.”

Built 11 years ago by SafeBoats in Seattle, Wa., the department’s new Marine 3 is unmistakable and will likely be a familiar site to anyone who spends time on the water. The Coast Guard has two similar boats stationed at Castle Hill in Newport, and similar vessels are used by the Guard throughout the United States. With a welded aluminum superstructure and hull, it uses rigid foam pontoons for flotation. It is powered by twin 225-hp Honda four strokes (300 and 1,200 hours on them, respectively) and can easily hit 45 knots. The boat is designed for safety, durability and speed and is even self-righting in the event of a flip. Mr. Cabral likely hopes fire fighters never face seas that rough as they respond to emergencies up and down Warren’s coast and out into Narragansett Bay.

Why now?
Last year, Mr. Cabral heard that the Town of Portsmouth had purchased a similar boat from Northeast Divers in Portsmouth. Though the firm mostly does commercial diving, it also purchases government boats at auction and refits and resells them. He was impressed with Portsmouth’s boat and realizing that Warren might be able to get a good deal, talked to Fire Chief Al Galinelli about pushing for the purchase. The chief agreed, and the town council approved the capital expenditure that was later ratified by voters. In Mr. Cabral’s eyes, the Town of Warren got a steal: Buying a similar boat new and updating it with the advanced electronics Warren ordered would cost upwards of $500,000, he said.

The town “saw an opportunity and took it,” he said. “It was fortuitous timing.”

Mr. Cabral said there’s definitely a need for a boat more seaworthy and tough than Warren’s old line Marine 4, a Parker that will be retired once Marine 3 comes on line next month.

Over the last several years, Warren’s marine rescue calls have gone up 40 percent. As a member of the Narragansett Bay Marine Task Force, the town is obligated to help with on the water emergencies that occur throughout much of upper Narragansett Bay and as far away as Greenwich Cove. The new boat can zip over to Prudence Island and points west in a matter of minutes, and it has updated communications gear that will help rescuers easily talk with other marine task force members. It’s also got several other features that lend themselves to a rescue operation like Warren’s. They include:

* A thermal imaging camera that can detect body heat. The camera has wide-ranging possibilities for use, including search for overboard boaters in dark and choppy conditions.
* A 400-gallon per minute pump with a bow cannon. At full clip, the pump can throw a heavy stream of water 140 feet or more.

* A full complement of GPS and radar gear, as well as other navigational equipment, lights and sirens. Its solid aluminum bow is covered by a cushioned cover to protect fiberglass boats when it pulls up alongside. Inside the boat is all business, with seating for four inside the enclosed, heated cabin.

So far, training has gone well and Mr. Cabral expects each trainee —Jim Sousa, Steve Silva, Capt. Adam Cabral, Ben DeCastro and Dave Pion — will put in about 30 hours of training, with 10 of those at night. After that, he plans to continually train other department members in her use and operation.

“It’s a great asset,” he said, moving along the upper bay at 40 knots.