CFA chooses Stabi Craft and Honda for fire fighting afloat

by Jeni Bone on 15 Sep 2009 With the support of the Country Fire Authority (Victoria) and Marine Safety Victoria, Eildon Fire Brigade recently purchased a 859 SC Stabi Craft with twin Honda BF225 4-stroke engines, to enable the Brigade to attend and respond to fires in and around Lake Eildon.

According to David Goldfinch, Project Officer/Coast Guard liaison, the boat had been modified to suit its purpose. "It's a huge boat, loaded with fire fighting equipment. The bow fully opens out so it can be lowered and walked through. The mods mean the boat can go on to any part of the lake and then on shore to offload firefighters and equipment. Also, to load patients. It's of great benefit up there."

The Eildon Fire Brigade services Eildon Lake as well as the surrounding bush and townships. As Goldfinch explains: "On the lake there is a large number of houseboats, which can sometimes be a fire risk. It averages one fire per year. They had an old vessel, but it was approaching its use-by date."

Following a rigorous tender process, MY Marine constructed the boat to unique specifications of the fire brigade.

"MY Marine won it based innovation of design, cost and time frame of delivery. Also, the MY Marine tender was the one that most closely matched the specs of the tender document."

Goldfinch reports that Eildon Fire Brigade chose Honda engines based on word of mouth and because "it's a good bit of kit".

"They had heard good things about Honda's reliability and running efficiancy."

Michael Rozakis from MY Marine says the appeal for the job was in the customisation. Stabi Craft has accreditation for Search and Rescue worldwide, but we spent a lot of time and resources with CFA to try and make the boat fit in their requirements - to fit stretchers in and equipment, approach the side of the river bank and open the bow section, unload with comfort and safety and still fight fires. Although it doesn't get too rough on the Lake compared to the open sea, you do need stability. Stabi Craft has the hull strength and stability for the job."

MY Marine liaised with the New Zealand design team of Stabi Craft to ensure the customisation was to CFA standard. "We worked very well with them and the result exceeded everybody's expectations."

According to Rozakis, Honda was the only choice for "efficiency and proven reliability". "Plus they build the cleanest engines of all.

MY Marine is currently working with Melbourne Fire Brigade, Goulburn Murray Water and NSW Maritime on custom vessels, as well as other organisations for larger custom vessels in excess of 10m.

More at www.mymarine.com.au