Aug. 02--ALBANY -- The Albany Fire Department waited three years for its new fire boat, but it only took a few hours for it to be put to use.
The 37-foot-long craft, which can do everything from put out fires to combat spills, arrived Wednesday. It was launched into the Hudson River Thursday afternoon for a test run.
Around 2:30 p.m., while a few deputy chiefs and other firefighters were training on the boat for the first time, testing its radar, GPS and other features, a call for help came in just south of the Port of Albany, Fire Chief Robert Forezzi said.
"A 43-foot-yacht had lost its steering capacity," Forezzi said.
Within minutes, the newly minted boat was pulling the yacht safely back to its dock.
"They were just out doing the acceptance test and happened to get a call," Forezzi said.
The boat was paid for with a grant from the Department of Homeland Security. It's the first of its kind for the fire department.
Forezzi said the vessel will have a rescue and dive team as well as hazmat equipment and a thermal imaging camera to help after dark.
[email protected], 518-454-5414, @BFitzgeraldTU
Copyright 2013 - Times Union, Albany, N.Y.
