SeaArk Marine (Arkansas) recently built and delivered a 30’ all-welded aluminum Emergency Response Vessel to the Hayden Lake Fire Protection District in Idaho. The boat will be used on Hayden Lake for firefighting and rescue. The new fireboat is SeaArk’s Dauntless model and features a deep-vee hull, wide chines, flared bow and lifting strakes to provide a stable, dry ride in rough operating conditions.

The fully enclosed house was especially designed to provide 360º visibility in either the sitting or standing position for fire-fighting and search & rescue operations. Powered by twin 250hp Mercury Outboard Gasoline engines, the high-speed response vessel attained speeds in excess of 48 mph during the builder’s trials. A Mercury Jet 45hp kicker engine is used for holding position and maneuvering in and around rescue sites.

The hull is constructed of durable, all-welded aluminum, which offers several advantages over fiberglass. Aluminum has the ability to withstand impacts without fracturing, resist chafing if grounded, does not absorb water, is lighter when compared to fiberglass (compared to laminates of equal thickness), and is more fire resistant than fiberglass.