Ports Could Soon Receive Remotely-Operated Fireboats

Marine engineer Robert Allan and technology specialist Kongsberg Maritime have joined forces to develop a new range of remotely-operated fireboats for ports.

The fireboats, which would address the evolving safety and security needs of modern ports, will enable more aggressive on-water firefighting while reducing risk and improving personnel safety.

The un-crewed RALamander fireboat will offer in-close firefighting and ‘eye in the fire’ capability that keeps marine firefighting professionals out of harm’s way.

Robert Allan, Kongsberg Maritime said that fires involving containers, petrochemicals, shore-side structures or vessels can be attacked more quickly in situations where toxic smoke or explosion risk may delay or even prevent manned assets from responding effectively.

RALamander can serve as a force multiplier with conventional firefighting assets, or be deployed on its own.

The first in the series, the 20 m RALamander 2000, will be equipped with FiFi 1 capability with a total pumping capacity of 2400 m3/hr with optional foam. A retractable mast can bring one of the three monitors to a high point of attack for shipboard or dock fires.

A range of auto functions is planned for firefighting, including dynamic positioning, water spray target holding, and ‘line protection’ where RALamander automatically moves back and forth along a line while directing protective spray cover on shore structures or vessels threatened by a fire.

RALamander’s versatility may also offer new ways to maintain and operate a port firefighting asset.