The FR-32J specifications were developed by the Bowers Fire Company to improve firefighting and rescue capability on the Delaware River in the area of Bowers Beach and surrounding waters.
The 32’ x 10’ boat provides over 3,000 gallons per minute water flow through a combination of the 2,000 gpm roof monitor, 1500 gpm foredeck monitor, and two aft 4” outlets. Monitors and valves are electrically controlled from the safety of the interior fire control station.
Primary propulsion is twin 300 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-inch hydraulically-operated diverter valve to provide propulsion and/or fire fighting.
Navigation, rescue and recovery include thermal imaging, AIS, Digital high definition color radar, man overboard monitoring all of which are Raymarine components.
The pilothouse arrangement includes three shock absorbing seats, a full length patient bench, fire control station and a commander desk for navigation, communication and coordination.
In addition to the over-sized sliding door aft, the house features two side sliding doors for quick access to the forward deck areas.
For the FR-32J hull, the fire department requested a 19 degree aft bottom deadrise and shifted the pilothouse aft to counter the famous choppy waters of Delaware Bay. Reports on the choppy water performance and handling at all heading angles are resoundingly positive.
Other equipment includes Task Force Tips monitors, Elkhart Brass electric valves, FLIR and Motorola radios and systems, Bostrom seats Whelen warning lights.
