Eddystone F. D. Marine Division

"Serving the Delaware River and surrounding communities"

Who we are and what we do.

Marine Division is part of the Eddystone Fire Department. Consists of specially trained members of the department. Training includes, PA state water rescue, Navigation, Rules of the road, Boat handling, Towing, Damage control, Fire fighting, Salvage, Search and recovery. Non-contact and contact water rescue, along with rapid and white water rescue.

We operate a total of six boats ranging in length from 46ft to 12ft. Our 20 ft. Hovercraft, (the only one in the area), can operate on water or land. It is ideally suited for shallow water, sand bars and mud flats. The marine division responds to approximately 75 calls annually, ranging from vessels out of gas to seriously injured boaters. The majority of our calls originate from the U.S. Coast Guard in Philadelphia and are called in to the Ridley dispatch who then dispatches the call to us.

We cover the Delaware River and its many tributaries from Philadelphia to Wilmington Delaware, which is about 25 miles of water. We assist other local marine units when requested and they do likewise. The boats are stationed at the PECO energy Eddystone generating plant at the mouth of Crum Creek and the Delaware. PECO supplies dockage and electric as the 46ft boat is in service 365 days a year. The vessels interior is maintained at 65 degrees with electric heat. Diesel fuel is supplied by Boeing Defense and Space group, also located on Crum Creek. We do stand-by service when they test land the Chinook helicopters in the river by the plant.

Vessels

Photos of Hull repairs on 46 foot boat.

46 ft Fire Rescue Boat

(Below)---View looking from crows nest

All steel, twin Detroit Diesels, 25tons, 42in draft, 350gal fuel, 23mph speed. 1800gpm pumping capacity, 2 deluge nozzles, 7 handlines. PA State Certified Marine QRS service (first in the state). Can carry 4 stretcher patients inside cabin Communications: multiple radios for Fire, Marine, Coast Guard, Navigation etc. 24 Mile radar for adverse weather navigation. Video depth sounder can "see" underwater.

20 ft ACV (air cushion vessel) Hovercraft

Pictured on hover and moving forward.

Vessel is hoisted out of the water when not in use to protect the skirting system.

Speed 40mph, 6 passengers or 1000lbs. Can travel over any fairly flat surface, water, ice, mud, sand, grass, etc. Also QRS certified. Vessel is powered by a Nisson 6 cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine driving tandem hydraulic pumps. This vessel is unique as while on hover it can move forward, backward, left and right.

15 ft Utility boat