At the police’s request the author-
ity would supply support vessels, she added, but the authority is “not an emergency response organization.” Rachelle Smith, a spokesperson
for Fisheries and Oceans Canada, said it’s not the coast guard’s man- date to fight fires, either — although it would do what it could to help. “Our primary response is search
and rescue and then environmental response,” she said. So who, then, is on the hook for
putting out an open-water blaze? According to Transport Canada,
all vessels, including tankers, are required to have resources on board to respond to events such as fire. “These resources include equip-
ment, procedures, personnel and training,” regional communications officer Brooke Williams said in an email. A pleasure craft, such as a sail-
boat, would have similar resources, she added. But unlike commercial operators, the craft’s owner wouldn’t have to inform Transport Canada when a fire occurs.
Police say an electrical issue
sparked (the September 25) fire. The two adults aboard managed to jump off and make their way safely to shore.” The Port of Montreal operates a
considerable tug-and-barge combo in concert with the Montreal Fire De- partment. It can be loaded with half a dozen fire trucks, such as multiple pumpers with ladder and snorkel plus a command vehicle, as required for the circumstance. (Check out our audio interview with Port of Montre- al fire marshall Michel Brunet in our training feature. Brunet attended the weeklong Hampton Roads Fire Fighting Symposium this year.) Lane Farguson, communications
advisor with the Halifax Port Author- ity, told Marine Matters, “When it comes to marine firefighting within the Port of Halifax, the Halifax Port Authority works with the various municipal, provincial, federal and commercial agencies operating within Halifax Regional Municipality to ensure complete and extensive coverage. In the broader scope
for preparedness for unexpected emergencies including fire, we hold exercises with all of the various partner agencies involved including Halifax Regional Fire and Emergen- cy, police as well as the municipal and provincial Emergency Manage- ment Offices. “It is also important to note that
in the event of a fire on board a vessel, the vessel operator is always the first line of defence as all com- mercial vessels operating within the Port of Halifax are required to have and maintain a comprehensive fire suppression system.” Firefighters operating on water
have a number of dynamics to con- sider that are not applicable on land. Examples include holding the vessel ‘on station’ while using multiple high power monitors, types of hull design or towing a disabled vessel. Eric Connell, project manager at
MetalCraft Marine, which manufac- tures high-end fireboats, told Marine Matters, “Pumping 5000 GPM at 150 PSI is no joke, no matter what you are standing on when you are
Photo: Ron Samson 16
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