Salish Star (fireboat)

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This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

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The Salish Star is a fireboat operated by the city of Bellingham, Washington.[1] The vessel cost approximately $1 million. The Department of Homeland Security supplied three quarters of the cost through a FEMA Port Security Grant.[2] The Port of Bellingham and the city of Bellingham provided the remainder.

The Salish Star replaces the Fire Belle, a smaller, slower, less capable fireboat.[2] Her pumps can throw 3,000 gallons per minute, when the older vessel can only project 1,200 gallons per minute. Her maximum speed is 30 knots compared to the older vessels 14 knots. Her draft is only 22 inches deep while the older vessel's draft is 3.5 feet. She is powered by a pair of 425 bhp diesel engines.[3]

In addition the Salish Star is equipped with a modern suite of high-tech sensors, including infrared sensors that both help find fires' hotspots, and locate the survivors of maritime disasters.[2]

On October 27, 2024, the Salish Star put out a fire on the 68 foot fishing vessel Alaska Star.[4]

## References[edit]

1. ↑ New Fireboat, Port of Bellingham, 2015. Retrieved on 2017-03-20.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Samantha Wohlfeil. Bellingham firefighters training on new $1M fire boat, Bellingham Herald, 2015-07-15. Retrieved on 2017-03-19. “The Salish Star has radar and chart plotting that can be overlaid so the driver can view both at the same time. Cameras adorn the outside of the cabin and can be hooked up to an infrared system that will allow firefighters to look for people and objects through thick smoke or fog or in the dark. The cabin can be pressurized to keep those inside safe from chemicals or particles in the air.”
3. ↑ Casey Conley. Fire/pilot/patrol, Professional Mariner, 2016-11-03. Retrieved on 2017-03-19. “The vessel has twin 425-hp Cummins QSB6 turbo diesel engines, Twin Disc gears and HamiltonJet HJ292 waterjets.”
4. ↑ Robert Mittendorf. Fire heavily damages fishing boat at Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham, Bellingham Herald, 2024-10-27. “Bellingham’s fireboat the Salish Star is moored in the marina nearby and poured water on the blaze, Michaelis told The Bellingham Herald in a phone call. 'The Salish Star made the initial attack and its crew was able to get it mostly out,' he said.”