OPEN WATER RESCUE BOAT STANDARDS

A.    All Open Water Rescue Boats to be numbered with 1-digit per your station number

unless more than 1 Open Water Rescue Boat in your station, than use a 2-digit number

    for each additional unit.

        Example:  Rescue Boat 2-1, Rescue Boat 3, Rescue Boat 4-1, Rescue Boat 5,

                         Rescue Boat 6-1, Rescue Boat 7, Rescue Boat 8-1.

B.     Open Water Rescue Boats shall consist of a power boat not exceeding the BIA rated

capacity and the following specifications.

1.      Minimum of 16-ft. in length up to 25-ft. in length.

2.      Minimum 74-in. beam.

3.      Minimum 1,400-lb. carrying capacity.

4.      Maximum 18-in. draft.

C.     They shall conform to all appropriate regulations of the U.S Coast Guard and Maryland

Marine Police.

D.    It shall be equipped as follows.

E.     All loose equipment shall be mounted in brackets and fastened to the marine unit if not

         carried on the support vehicle.

• Miscellaneous Equipment

1. Minimum of one (1) 15-lb. ABC portable fire extinguisher.

2. One (1) bailing device.

3. One (1) Waterproof Hand light.

4. One (1) 8-ft. Boat Hook or Pike Pole.

5. One (1) Spot/Search Light.

6. Optional – Minimum of 150 GPM Water Pump

7. Optional – 1 ½-in Fire Hose.

8. Optional – 1 ½-in. Combination Nozzle.

• Radio, Electronics, Etc.

1. One (1) two-way radio to meet county standards.

2. One (1) Kent County Portable Radio.

a.      Portable Radio may be carried on the support vehicle.

3. One (1) marine VHF radio; 12 channels and to include channels 16 and 22.

4. One (1) Waterway Navigation Chart Book.

5. One (1) Marine Compass.

6. One (1) Pair of 7 x 50 Binoculars

7. Optionanl – One (1) Fathometer

8. Optionanl – One (1) GPS.

• Anchor, Buoys, Rope

1. Two (2) marker buoys with line and anchors.

2. Four (4) mooring/utility lines 30-ft. by 3/8-in. nylon.

3. One (1) anchor with 125-ft. by ½-in. nylon.

4. One (1) Ground Tackle for the Anchor.

5. One (1) rescue throwing bag with 75-ft. nylon line.

9. Four (4) boat bumpers.

10. One (1) grappling hook or drag bar.

11. One (1) Ring Buoy or Rescue Tube with line.

12. Optional – One (1) Line Throwing Gun.

• EMS Equipment

1. One (1) first aid kit.

a.      May be carried on the support vehicle.

2. One (1) O2 kit.

a.      May be carried on the support vehicle.

3. One (1) full backboard or rescue sled or Floating Stretcher with Harness.

• Safety Equipment

1. One (1) emergency tool.

2. One (1) U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation device for each crew member.

3. Three (3) signal flares.

4. One (1) Pair of Oars.

• Reference Material

1. Kent County Chiefs Association Open Water Rescue Boat Standards – 2010

2. Maryland State Firefighters Association S.O.P. E005 – Watercraft Standards – 2011

3. NFPA – 1910 – Standards for Inspection, Maintenance, Refurbishment, Testing, Retirement of In-Service Emergency Vehicles, and Requirements of Marine Firefighting Vehicles.

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