Viking Welding Delivers Fire/Rescue Boats

Fire Departments in South Carolina and Minnesota have recently accepted delivery of Response FR-28 and FR-31J boats built of welded aluminum by Viking Welding & Fabrication in Kensington, N.H. The boats were designed by Response Marine in Newburyport, Mass.

The FR-28 specifications were developed by Mount Pleasant Fire Department in South Carolina to improve firefighting and rescue capability in the coastal areas surrounding Mount Pleasant, which include Charleston Harbor, Gray Bay and Hamlin Sound. The boat was largely funded by a federal grant. Norm Allen of Mt. Pleasant Fire Department said, “This has been a long procurement process for us, but we are thrilled to have the boat in service, on time and built with such attention to quality. Viking and Response Marine spent a lot of time working on details with us to improve the boat, all the while staying within our budget. We are excited to have a boat with such great capabilities."

The 28’ x 9.5’ boat provides over 1,250 gallons per minute of water flow at 150 psi through any of a combination of the 1,500 gpm foredeck monitor, the two aft 2.5” outlets, and the aft 5” Storz outlet. Primary propulsion is twin 225hp Mercury Verado outboards providing sprint speeds of 43 mph. The pilothouse arrangement includes a convertible patient bench and dedicated fire control station. Instead of a traditional forward cuddy cabin, both the FR-280 and FR-31J feature a forward cockpit, which improves crew safety and helmsman visibility in situations where crew are required to work from the forward third of the boat.

The Response FR-31J design and outfitting were developed in partnership with the St. Paul Fire Department to suit the department’s protection mission on the Mississippi River. The 31’ x 10’ boat provides over 3,000 gallons per minute water flow through a combination of the 2,000 gpm forward monitor, the aft 1,250 gpm monitor, the 1,500 gpm foredeck monitor, two 2 .5” outlets and a 5” Storz outlet. The fire fighting system also includes a 35 gallon foam tank and in-line eductor. Primary propulsion is twin 250 hp Mercury Verado outboards with a center jet driven by a Kodiak 6.0 liter, 375 hp engine providing sprint speeds of 48 mph with the jet and 42 mph without the jet. The jet discharge flows through a custom, 6” hydraulically operated diverter valve to provide propulsion and/or fire fighting. Navigation, rescue and recovery electronics include FLIR thermal imaging and Lowrance 4G color radar. The pilothouse arrangement includes a convertible patient bench, fire control station and a commander desk for navigation, communication and coordination. In addition to the oversized sliding door aft, the house features two side sliding doors for quick access to the side decks and forward cockpit.

Other recent and current projects at Viking Welding & Response Marine include a 32’ fire/rescue boat and a 25’ environmental law enforcement boat for the State of New York.

Data Sheet: Response FR-28 – Mt. Pleasant Fire Dept., April, 2014
Builder: Viking Welding, Kensington, NH   
Designer: Response Marine, Inc., Newburyport, MA   
Model: Response FR-28   
Hull Type: Vee, 15° aft.   
Hull Construction: Welded Aluminum 3/8”, ¼” &3/16” 5086 marine plating    
Mission: Firefighting & Rescue   
LOA (hull): 27’8"   
Beam: 9', not including rub rails   
Draft (hull): 1' 11”   
Displacement: 11,500 lbs. (normal operating)   
Main Propulsion: Twin Mercury Verado, 225hp   
Fire System: Darley bronze w/ Kodiak 4.3 liter engine   
Fuel Capacity: 150 gal.   
Crew: 2-4   
Top Speed: 43 mph   
Auxiliary Equipment:       
Air Conditioning & Heat: Dometic   
Dive Door: Starboard side dive doors w/ integral steps   
Fire Monitors: (1) Elkhart Stingray w/ Elkhart SM1250B   
Fire Hose Outlets: (2) 2.5”, (1) 5” Storz   
Discharge Valves: Elkhart Brass   
Suction Valve: 12 volt Hydraulic   
Navigation: Raymarine   
Radios: Motorola &ICOM   
Seats: Bostrom,Sea Spension & Sierra   
Warning Lights: Whelen   


Data Sheet: Response FR-31J – St. Paul Fire Department, St. Paul, MN, April, 2014
Builder: Viking Welding, Kensington, NH   
Designer: Response Marine, Inc., Newburyport, MA   
Model: Response FR-30J    
Hull Type: Modified Vee   
Hull Construction: Welded Aluminum .5”, 3/8”, ¼” &3/16” 5086 marine plating    
Mission: Firefighting & Rescue   
LOA (hull): 31'   
Beam: 10' 2", not including rub rails   
Draft (hull): 1' 9'   
Displacement: 13,000 lbs.    
Main Propulsion: Twin Mercury Verado, 250 hp   
Jet/Fire System: Kodiak 6 liter engine w/ American Turbine jet   
Fuel Capacity: 200 gal.   
Crew: 2-6
Top Speeds: 42 mph with outboards only
48 mph with outboards & jet   
Auxiliary Equipment:
Air Conditioning & Heat: Cruisair&Valad Electric   
Bow Thruster: Side Power SE-60   
Davit: Radial Arm w/ 2 sockets & 500# winch   
Doors: Aluminum 2000 & Diamond Sea Glaze   
Dive Door: (2) Side dive doors w/ integral steps   
Fire Monitors: (1) Elkhart Scorpion, 2,000 gpm, electric remote; (1) Elkhart Stinger, 1,250 gpm   
Fire Hose Outlets: (1) 90° Swivel x 5” Storz; (2) 2 .5”
Fire Valves: Elkhart Brass   
Firefighting Foam: 35 gal permanent tank    
Generator: Kohler 7.5 kW   
Jet/Pump Valve and Steering: 12 volt Hydraulic   
Navigation & Infrared: Lowrance & FLIR    
Seats: Bostrom Torsion   
Radios: Motorola & Lowrance   
Warning Lights & Siren Whelen