Sarnia Fire Rescue has a shiny new ride when it hits the water.
The new Marine 1 Fire Rescue Boat arrived last week.
Fire Public Education Officer Mike Otis said the Ontario made vessel was purchased following the approval of city council last summer.
"The new vessel is purpose built," said Otis. "It's safer for staff, it has updated technologies and capabilities that the old vessel was just not capable of including a heated, enclosed crew cab that will help us extend the season which we can respond to marine distress calls, a built-in fire pump for defensive firefighting and infrared cameras and radar that will help enhance our response capabilities."
The new vessel, with an expected lifespan of about 20 years, is replacing the old Marine 1.
"Although it was a generous gift in 2014 from Imperial, it's long past it's expected lifespan," said Otis. "It's becoming increasingly difficult to effect repairs on this aging vessel."
Earlier this summer, the aging vessel was in need of a rescue itself when it experienced engine failure and drifted ashore.
Otis said training on the new Marine 1 boat is underway, and its expected it will officially be in service by the spring of 2026.
Along with Marine 1, Sarnia Fire Rescue Service has two personal watercrafts for water rescues.
