FDNY Fireboat 343
Fireboat 343 is a unique fire-rescue-vessel that will be constantly exposed to environmental elements, which necessitate a durable, long-lasting coating system that will withstand harsh conditions while also reducing maintenance costs to the tax-paying citizens of New York by utilizing the opportunity for life-cycle cost examination.
Fireboat 343 patrols the East River and the Hudson. It is a constant reminder of the brave sacrifice of the 343 firefighters killed on 9/11. The vessel is designed to provide protection for the crew for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents. There is absolutely no room for failures due to corrosion. HDG helps eliminate any worries about equipment failure. 343 will be followed by Firefighter II which will utilize even more HDG handrails, walkways and will provide market growth.
Fireboat 343 is named in honor of the 343 NYC firefighters who lost their live at the World Trade Center as a result of the September 11, 2001, attacks. The vessel is one of two state-of-the-art watercraft designed to provide firefighting and rescue capabilities for the New York City Fire Department. The 140-foot, 500-ton vessel is capable of protecting firefighters from chemical, nuclear and radiological agents by utilizing a pressurized area sheltered with special HEPA filters. The functional attributes of the 343 include an immense pumping capacity of 50,000 gallons per minute. The HDG pipe spools,walkways, and rails ensure the safety and security of the firefighters in an emerging situation, even under such terrific hydraulic pressure for extended periods of time. The basic chemical properties and corrosiveness of the substances passing through the pipe spools present a challenge as well. Because fresh water, foam concentrate and even sea water may be used to fight fires, the interior of the spools must be protected to maintain the integrity of the pumping system. Structural failure of any component of the system could result in costly damage to property, commercial losses and, more tragically, loss of life. In the eyes of the FDNY, no other protective coating was worthy of bearing such monumental risks. In the case of the 343, HDG is protecting much more than steel.
