MetalCraft Marine is a fully integrated designer and manufacturer of custom high performance patrol, fire, rescue, research and workboats. Boats range from 28’ to 70’ in length and can reach speeds of 35Kts to 60Kts. Established in 1987 MetalCraft Marine has built over 600 hulls and earned the reputation of being the North American leader in the design and manufacturing of aluminum water-jet propelled boats. MetalCraft Marine’s customers include the US Coast Guard, US Navy, Marine Police, Parks Services, Port Authorities and Fire Departments.
In 2002 MetalCraft Marine developed the FireStorm – the first purpose built high speed firefighting boat. The deceivingly simple design allows for high pumping capacity, straightforward maintenance and trouble-free reparability. The company build five different models of FireStorm (FS30/32, FS36, FS40, FS46/48, FS50 and FS70) and currently have 56 FireStorm’s in service around the world. The FireStorm is the most practical watercraft for fire and police departments.
The FireStorm has a proven history of cross-functional emergency response and enforcement duties across multiple government agencies.The FireStorm’s advantage over its competitors can be measured by its exceptional pumping capacity and high speed over other fireboats. MetalCraft Marine’s pumping configuration pushes approximately 50-60% more volume than any other pumping system available on a boat of similar size yielding the greatest firefighting capability. In addition, it can reach speeds approximately 30% higher than any other boat of similar displacement resulting in the fastest response times.
Firefighting
Amplified pumping flow rates in excess of the manufacturers rated capacities are due to a uniquely designed sea chest and inline pump arrangement. To elaborate, the Darley 1500 Gallons Per Minute rated pump can produce flow rates of 2,200 Gallons Per Minute when installed in a FireStorm 30/32 and four Hale 3000 Gallons Per Minute rated pumps can produce flow rates of 17,000 Gallons Per Minute when installed in the FireStorm 70. This translates into a maximum effective water stream distance of 430 feet and maximum effective inshore pumping of 1000 feet through a 5 inch hose.
Fast Response
Fireboats are on average 25% heavier than conventional workboats. Even with the added weight of specialized firefighting equipment the FireStorm is able to reach speeds in excess of 42Kts and perform emergency stops and change direction within two boat lengths. The FireStorm’s delta pad powerlift hull design provides more lift than a conventional ‘V’ type hull, which provides better trim angles over the pre-planing zone, quicker time to plane and better fuel economy. The FireStorm’s stability is the result of the overwide beam to length ratio and the stepped chine flats which are below the waterline at rest. This gives the boat a high metacentric height allowing heavy loading capacity and greater performance under loaded conditions.
CBRN Defense Capabilities
MetalCraft Marine’s entire FireStorm line can be equipped with Hazardous Materials and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive Defense systems.
Signature Elements
There are a number of design features that are exclusive to the FireStorm. The foredeck push knee allows a stable connection to a surface for safe transfers in unstable water conductions and provides acts as a collision bulkhead that can withstand a high speed impact. The oversized swim platform allows water level working space for deployment and recovery while the walk around deck can accommodate up to 4 backboards at one time during a large scale disaster. A wraparound deck house safety track system enables a crewman to attach a harness and walk unobstructed around the full perimeter of the foredeck clipped onto the boat for hands free work. Superior maneuverability while streaming water is attributed to the roof location of the primary monitor in relation to the vessel’s Center of Buoyancy. The benefit is that the boat can be pivoted around the thrust load created by the high pumping capacity.
For further information, go to www.metalcraftmarine.com
