PAGE 1

PAGE 2

PAGE 3

PAGE 4

PAGE 5

PAGE 6

PAGE 7

PAGE 8

PAGE 9

PAGE 10

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

PAGE 13

PAGE 14

PAGE 15

PAGE 16

PAGE 17

PAGE 18

PAGE 19

PAGE 20

Japan Coast Guard - Fireboat "Hiryu"
The Japan Coast Guard has a major facility in Yokohama. Part of the fleet of ships, is this large Firefighting vessel, the "HIRYU" with designation FL-01. It is docked near Pier 8.
This is the first fireboat I photographed in Japan. 

Yokohama Fireboat Visit
It took a little doing, including a long walk in the heat, but we did finally make it to the Yokohama Tsurumi Fire Station, where the Yokohama Fireboats are located.

We were welcomed and given a wonderful tour of the Fireboat "Yokohama." 
A second boat, ordinarily docked here, was out for maintenance and not available.
 

Apparatus at the station includes an Engine and a Water Rescue Truck.

Fireboat "Yokohama"
The Yokohama Fireboat is called the "Yokohama." It was one of many on my "To Do List."

It is a large vessel, with powerful firefighting capability. A good looking boat by all standards. We not only got the photos we were looking for, but were both treated to a great tour of the vessel by the crew members who were awesome.

Arigato!
 

Tokyo FD - Rinko Fire Station & Fireboats
The Tokyo FD, Rinko Fire Station is an impressive Fire Station. The station is only a few years old.
I arrived early, and was around as the station came to life with morning apparatus checks.
 

The Emergency Number in Japan is 1-1-9. Similar to the USA 9-1-1.

The previous Fire Station and Fireboat docks were near by. The entire complex was rebuilt. Floating docks support the several boats that are assigned here.

Tokyo Fireboat - "Oedo"
The Tokyo Fireboat "Oedo" is the second largest vessel in the Tokyo Fireboat fleet.

"Miyakodoi"
The Largest Tokyo Fireboat "Miyakodoi" was away from the dock this morning.
It would be docked where the red box is. 
We will have to come back another day to see it.

Tokyo Fireboats - "Hrumi" and "Shubuki"
The Tokyo Fire Department has several smaller boats used for rescue and dive operations.

At the Rinko Station, the "Shubuki" can be  recognized by its rather square looking windows.
The other boat "Hrumi" has the larger, rounded side windows.

"Hrumi"
The "HRUMI" at the dock.

A small inflatable type boat is also at the docks.

Shift change.

"Shubuki"
The Shubuki at the dock.

Rinko Fire Apparatus
The Rinko Fire Station has several apparatus. The crews were doing their apparatus checks this morning. I was able to talk with, and share a patch with the crew.
 

The ambulance.

A Command vehicle.

A Command Car.

The Primary Engine, a pumper equipped with a water tank, ground ladder, and plenty of equipment.

A secondary, reserve Engine.

There is no Ladder Truck assigned to the Rinko Station, but this one from near by just happened to come along while I was there. Thank you!

A nice visit at Rinko. Time to get back to the family.

P8 - DAY 12 - TOKYO RINKO STATION - Fireboats

Looking across the bay from the Tram. That is the Rinko Fireboat Station again.

P10 - DAY 12 - TOKYO RINKO STATION - Fireboats

The Harumi Incinerator and Rinko Fireboat Station from the cruise.

PAGE 20 - DAY - RINKO Fireboats

We boarded a Tram on the YURIKAMOME Line. The Tram goes over the Rainbow Bridge towards our Tokyo Hotel. On the approach to the Rainbow Bridge, is a large loop. Going around the loop, we have a view of the Tokyo FD TAKANAWA Fireboat Station. We need to go there!

P8 - DAY 12 - TOKYO TAKANAWA STATION - Fireboats

There is that Tokyo Takanawa Fireboat Station again from the Rainbow Bridge.

P11 - DAY 13 - TOKYO TAKANAWA STATION - Fireboats

The Takanawa Fireboat Station again.

One of the things I had hoped to see on the cruise, would be two Fireboats at the Tokyo Hamacho Fireboat Station here on the Sumida. They are away when we came by.

 

Chiba Fire Bureau
About an hour train ride north of our hotel in Tokyo, is the City of Chiba. It was another hot, humid day. It was a pretty good walk from the train station to the Fire Station at the Port of Chiba.

The Chiba Fire Station complex included several buildings and the Fireboat dock.

The primary Chiba Fire Station includes these apparatus bays, the administrative building on the left, and the drill tower on the right.

The Engines.

To the left of the Administrative building, are these two structures which house the Rescue and Special units.

The Super Rescue Chiba Truck.

Chiba Fireboat "Matsukazi"
The primary goal of getting to Chiba was to find this large Fireboat docked behind the Fire Station, at the Port of Chiba.

The Chiba Fireboat crew members gave me the grand tour.

Next to the Chiba Fireboat Station, is the Japan Coast Guard Station and several boats capable of firefighting.

Back in the Fire Station, the same guys showed some of the apparatus and explained, with Translator, how some things work.  The blue turnouts are worn on medical calls. Shorts of hose are stored above turnout gear.

There are apparently two types of Engines. The one of the right would be the attack truck. It has a portable water tank, about 1800 Liters (approx 500 gallons).

The portable water tank.

The other Engine, is considered the supply Engine. It doesn't have a water tank, but is equipped with a motorized portable hose cart, with hundreds of feet of hose, that can be brought up narrow streets to a fire scene.

The motorized portable hose cart.

The coiled "hard suction" hose on the sides or Engines, or in compartments like this, are used to connect to hydrants underground, or to draft if necessary.

The guys demonstrate how an attack line is set up. Couplings are a quick snap together. No spanners needed. Hoses are not pre-connected, but are stored in a compartment, already in an accordion ready to be advanced. Quick and easy.
 

The Super Rescue Chiba is a heavy rescue, equipped with a crane, and plenty of equipment.

Rear of the Super Rescue. 

The next bay houses some of the special units.

On the left is something of a "Toilet Truck" that apparently has several bathroom facilities that are used during long term incidents.

In the center, is a vehicle that is much like an RV. It is equipped with sleeping facilities, also used for long term incidents.

To the right, is a super duty ventilation truck, equipped with a large fan and hose.

The ventilation truck.

Thank you to the guys at Chiba for sharing everything with me!

Arigato!

Ichikawa City Fireboat - "Chidori"
Along the train ride back from Chiba, towards Tokyo, is a city called Ichikawa. Papa got off the train at a rather remote train station, and walked along the shore about a mile in the heat and humidity.

At the end of the walk, was the Ichikawa City Fireboat "Chidori." It was built in 2017.
 

Definitely worth the long, hot walk to, and from the Ichikawa Fireboat.

It was back onto the train, this time headed directly into Tokyo.

Japan Coast Guard - Fireboat
The Japan Coast Guard Station was visible from our room. Soon, a large "Firefighting" looking vessel headed out of the harbor. It would be gone over night, but return in the morning.

P14 - DAY 18 - KOBE - Japan Coast Guard - Fireboat

P13 - DAY 17 - KOBE - Fireboats

Kobe Fireboats
From the hotel, we could see the Kobe Fireboat Station in the distance, under the red bridge.
Papa set out to get pictures of the boats. It took a little doing, a combination of buses, trams, and walking to get there and back.

The Tram went over the bridge with a perfect view of the boats.

The Fire Station at the Port of Kobe. The Fireboats, just behind the station, are staffed by crews at this station.

Osaka Fireboats
The Osaka Fire Station and Fireboats dock.

Hiroshima
We started out

Hiroshima
We started out