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Photos by Britton W Crosby

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New Page Added April 4, 2021

LOUISIANA FIREBOATS
| East Baton Rouge | New Orleans Fire | New Orleans Port | Plaquemines Port | South Louisiana Port |

PORT OF PLAQUEMINES FIRE BOATS

PORT OF PLAQUEMINES
The lower 80 or so miles of the Mississippi River are protected by the Port of Plaquemines.
All the larger ships that passage the river pass through this area.
It is very industrial and busy 24 hours a day with ships passing.

FIRE BOATS
There are two locations along the river where Plaquemines resources are stationed.
The larger and primary station is at Belle Chasse at about the 76 mile point.
Two major firefighting boats (Authority I and Authority III) are docked here
and protect the area North to the Port of New Orleans and South towards the second facility
located in Venice at the USCG Station at approximately mile point 10 of the river.
One boat (Authority II) is located at Venice.

The Authority III is the largest of vessels. It was built in about 2005 by Conrad Shipyards in
Louisiana. The vessel is 90' in length and capable of about 15,000 gpm with multiple
monitors. It also has foam capacity of about 1000 gallons.
Its powerful engines can attain about 25 knots cruising up to 32 knots max.
With the current of the river running at about 10 knots the powerful engines
are vital to getting places.

The newest vessels are twin Metal Shark Defiant 55' LOA with Authority I and
Authority II being delivered in 2015 and 2016. Each is capable of about 6000 gpm.
Authority I at Belle Chasse and Authority II at Venice.

The Port of Plaquemines covers a large area from the opening of the Mississippi River
at the Gulf of Mexico about 80 miles up river to just South of the Port of New Orleans.

At Belle Chasse

PORT OF PLAQUEMINES
"AUTHORITY III"

2005 Conrad 90' Fireboat
Approx 15,000 gpm
 

 The largest of the Plaquemines fireboats was built in 2005.
It has a variety of monitors, including two large monitors at about 38' above water level.
The A-3 also carries 1000 gallons of foam.
It can cruise at about 25 knots, with a max of 32 knots.

Photos March 2021
 

Forward facing pilot house of the Authority III

Pump and firefighting controls at the central console.

The Authority III can be controlled from the aft facing end of the pilot house.

The fire pump

The crew has basic facilities to maintain sustained operations.

One of the multi-port manifold capable of supplying hose lines.

At Belle Chasse

PORT OF PLAQUEMINES
"AUTHORITY I"

One of two Metal Shark Defiant 55' 6,000 gpm Fireboats
delivered in 2015-2016. 
 

 The "Authority I" can be operated by a crew of 2 personnel.
It can deliver approximately 6000 gpm and is capable of rapid response.

Photos March 2021
 

At Venice

PORT OF PLAQUEMINES
"AUTHORITY II"

One of two Metal Shark Defiant 55' 6,000 gpm Fireboats
delivered in 2015-2016. 
 

 The "Authority II" can be operated by a crew of 2 personnel.
It can deliver approximately 6000 gpm and is capable of rapid response.

The Authority II is docked at the USCG Station in Venice.

Photos March 2021

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Britt Crosby
CapeCodFD.com