John P. Devaney (fireboat)
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. 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]
References
- ↑ Clarence E. Meek (July 1954). Fireboats Through The Years. Retrieved on 2015-06-28.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Brian J. Cudahy. Around Manhattan Island, Fordham University Press, 1997, pp. 112–114. Retrieved on 2015-06-29.