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Lobster Boat on Fire - Delaware River in area of Artificial Island

November 25, 2007

The NCC Communications Center dispatched stations 29 Port Penn, Station 15, Salem County Station 18, Lower Alloway Creek, NJ and Trooper 4 for a reported 40' Lobster Boat on fire in the Delaware River in the area of Artificial Island. The caller advised they had a fire in the generator area of the vessel and that they had escaped into a 15 foot dinghy boat rowing to safety. Trooper 4 advised that the vessel was going to be closer to the C&D Canal. Deputy Chief Finnegan advised that the vessel was fully involved and assumed Delaware River Command. At 12:39 hours Trooper 4 advised that another vessel was with the 2 subjects. The United States Coast Guard and Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control were notified and responding. Marine units 15 Marine 1, 29 Marine 1, Salem Marine 18 and Salem Marine 18-A were responding. Deputy 29 (Speakman) assumed Operations in 29 Marine 1. At 12:51 hours, Command requested marine units form Station 18, Good Will and Station 20, Holloway Terrace for support. 29 Marine 2 arrived on scene with the 2 subjects and transported them back to Augustine Beach for evaluation. Odessa EMS unit B-4 was standing by at Augustine Beach and B-15 was located at the mouth of the C&D Canal. Once the marine units arrived on scene, Salem Marine Units 18 and 18-A placed in service there pumps, along with a portable pump for 15 Marine 1. Units were able to knocked down the fire and secure the vessel to start the trek to Delaware City. At 14:02 hours command requested an engine from station 15 respond to the State Dock. Engine 15-5 responded under the command of Assistant Chief Netsch with a crew of 4. Engine 15-5 laid a 5" line from the hydrant at 82 Clinton Street and proceeded to the State Dock area in which a 200' 2" line was placed in service once the vessel was secured to the State Dock by 29 Marine 1 and Salem County Marine 18. Crew from 15-5 boarded the vessel to remove the burned fiberglass to check for extension into the hull area. At 17:04 hours Command turned the vessel over to Sea-Tow Salvage Company. Responding Units: Duty Chief Deputy Finnegan, 15 Marine 1, Special Ops 15, B-15, 15-0, TSU-15, 15-5, A-29, 29 Marine 1, 29 Marine 2, MRU-29, Salem County Marine 18 and 18-A, B-4, Medic 2B, 18 Marine 1, MRU-18, 20 Marine 1, MRU-20, 15-9, 15-9C, 15-9D, 15-9E, USCG, DNREC, Sea-Tow Salvage Company, DCPD and DCFC Ladies Auxiliary. http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071126/NEWS/711260340/1006/NEWS