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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Borough residents caught another glimpse of the FDNY's new high-tech fireboat this morning, as the crew of the Three Forty Three ran drills off the former home port in Stapleton.
The 140-foot, 500-ton fireboat -- named in honor of Fire Department members killed on Sept. 11 -- could be seen testing its systems. The vessel -- the world's largest fireboat with a price tag of $27 million -- has been stationed with the rest of the FDNY's Marine 9 at the Homeport since its grand arrival Friday.
Three Forty Three has a maximum speed of 18 knots and the capability of pumping 50,000 gallons of water per minute. It was designed to detect and protect firefighters from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents, and contains a pressurized area that filters the air supply using special charcoal and high-efficiency particulate air filters.
Decontamination and first aid can be handled aboard the ship as well, by means of a de-con shower area that leads to a triage and first aid station.
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