John P. Devaney (fireboat)

For other uses, see John Devaney.

The John P. Devaney was a fireboat operated briefly by the Fire Department of New York City in late 1992 and early 1993.[1] She was named after a firefighter who lost his life in the line of duty.[2]

The John P. Devaney, and her sister ship, the Alfred E. Ronaldson, were experimental "surface effect ship" designs, a design related to hovercrafts.[2] The vessels had a pair of catamaran hulls. A rubber skirt between the two hulls could be inflated by powerful fans, and this enabled her to travel at over 30 knots (56 km/h). The vessels' fibreclass hulls were shipped from Europe. They came equipped with a high-tech sensor suite.

The vessels were expensive, costing $3.5 million each. But after they were commission, in November 1992, they only saw five months of active service, because their maintenance was too complicated.[2]

See also

References

  1. Clarence E. Meek (July 1954). "Fireboats Through The Years". Retrieved 2015-06-28.
  2. 1 2 3 Brian J. Cudahy (1997). "Around Manhattan Island". Fordham University Press. pp. 112–114. ISBN 9780823217618. Retrieved 2015-06-29.
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