Just in time for the new year, the League City Volunteer Fire Department has received their new all-hazards response boat. The watercraft is outfitted with a 1,000-gallon-per-minute pump for firefighting and side-scan sonar for search-and-recovery efforts. In addition, it will be able to respond to events that produce radiation threats, making it the only boat between Houston and Galveston with such broad capabilities. League City has several volunteer firefighters who are boat captains and can operate the craft. At 30 feet in length and a beam of 10½ feet, the boat can carry a fairly large crew and will be berthed at the South Shore Harbour Marina.
The boat will be used starting in the spring time as boat season kicks off in our area. The boat was obtained after the Fire Department applied for a grant through the Port Security Grant program. The grant paid for 75% of the cost of the boat, with the City of League City paying 25%.
"This is a great deal for the City," said Assistant Fire Marshal Jeff Allen. "This boat will expand upon the capabilities of our dive team and water rescue team as well."