Fire dept rescue boat

[r.spencer]

We have a 1648 Lowe big Jon. Starting the process of converting it into a rescue boat. Currently set up with a Mercury 25 hp tiller steer. Middle seat has been removed by previous owner.

Primary function will be body recovery and rescue. Sometimes boat recovery.

We have been using whatever boat we can beg , borrow or steal :LOL2: now it's time for a dedicated rig.

Has anybody rigged one up in the past? Would like to get some ideas , pics n what you have done. We run in a lot of shallow water and backwater. We have found in the past that a Jon boat with flat bottom and mod v works best in our situation.

 

[Johnny]

:WELCOME: to Tin Boats.

Have you seen the TV shows about the guys that catch alligators ??
Their designs permit shallow water running as well as hauling 500 pound
bodies over the sides into the boat.
If your boat is not set up correctly, I can only imagine how difficult it would
be to bring a 200+lb victim into the boat. (hopefully you never have to do it).
Two big rescuers @200# each, both leaning over the edge at the same time,
bringing another 200+lb person into the boat is inviting disaster #2.

Good Luck and THANK YOU for your service !!



just an idea.

 

[SpudPealler]

First, a safety option to be considered because of personnel being in the water routinely, would be to add a Prop Guard to the outboard. Drawback is that top speed will be reduced by a few MPH, which is minimal considering the other operational advantages.
There are several types available, this is the option I would choose.
https://propguard.net
11" Prop Safe Guard (Safety Orange) Fits 25hp to 35hp - Class B Gear case/Motors.

Second, consider permanently attaching boat fenders to the sides and bow. They will add buoyancy and cushion when pulling personnel over the side, and greatly reducing the chance of capsizing. (a reason RIB's are popular for Rescue)
Examples:
6.5" diameter x 23" long - 2.6lbs weight (buoyancy 24lbs)
8.5" diameter x 27" long - 4.4lbs weight (buoyancy 47lbs)

Third, LED Flood lighting for night operations with ample battery supply. LED lighting greatly reduces the size of the battery bank needed.

I hope more will step forward with ideas.
Of course other necessary gear like rope, throw floatation, poles, potable water, first aid and more as mission dictates.

 

[Ictalurus]

r.spencer

We dive out of our 1648 when conditions don't allow for the big SeaArk. just make sure you work off the bow, no issues with tipping the boat over. We had an aluminum ladder and bow support welded up to fit on the boat (bow) we exit and enter the boat from this point.

 

[r.spencer]

I am looking at getting 10 27 watt led. Floods to be mounted on a rail. Going to run them off. 2 deep cycle marine batteries. Hadn't thought about the prop guard but going to look into that.


We always work from the bow. Going to make an extended deck so it I 4' long for extra room. This will also house the 2 extra marine batteries.

Since the middle seat is gone we are looking at putting in a tool box in the middle (running parallel ) with the side beams to hold throw bags, rescue rings, rope, PFD's, helmets, flashlights, etc. might even mount a single seat on the lid to the front.

We only run 3 firefighters in the boat (4 max) at any one time. If it's a body recovery we run 4 , rescue with live victims we run 3 to cut down on weight.

 

[r.spencer]

Spud, what type of pole are you using. Looking for a pole similar to a pike pole with a hook on the end. Approximately 12-14' long. First aid and a cooler are already planned. Just got to figure out the layout we want to afford the most room.

 

[SpudPealler]

I'm cheap, $15 duck feet (Bass Pro) on a $10 piece of 1 1/4" EMT Conduit, could easily splice for more length. Add a boat hook on the other end, or spike to use as a Spud Pole.


Duck hunters with endless pockets can spend well over $400 for one with all sorts of attachments available.

I like your approach and idea of the center box, with a 48" bottom width the box at 16" wide would leave a 16" path on each side. If it is 6' plus long it could also serve as a support for a stretcher and/or bench seating, keeping most weight centered and not under foot.

WOW, 10 ea 27 watt LED Flood lights, let there be light. Downside is 270watts divided by 12volts = 22.5amp draw.
Deep cycle batteries are fickle creatures, they like a partial discharge then be recharged for long life. Full discharge will kill the batteries, the lower the discharge percentage the longer the life and recharge cycles. Fifty percent discharge is considered the best average to work with. A 100 amp hour deep cycle battery can deliver 5amps for 20 hours, divide by 2 to save battery and its longevity. Also by increasing amperage draw, the available amps are decreased. What I'm trying to get at is that 2ea 100 amp batteries will only power all 10ea 27watt LED's for about 4 hours with about 2 hours reserve.

These 10watt outdoor LED's are what I use, again I,m cheap. ($9.99 each) They are equivalent to 50watt halogen bulbs and 2 batteries should run 10 of these all night long, even in winter. They are pretty small in size 5"x4".
https://www.amazon.com/GLW-Waterpoof-Security-Floodlight-Equivalent/dp/B008XZAPV8/ref=pd_sim_469_2/176-2799725-4655708?ie=UTF8&refRID=1RNXMS7K5PJ45CQSY5F4

Some formulas:
Watts divided by Volts = Amperage
Amperage x Volts = Watts
Deep Cycle Batteries are usually rated in amp hours. The amp-hour rating is based on a 20-hour discharge rate; therefore, a 100 amp-hour battery can deliver 5 amps for 20 hours. If the discharge rate is greater than 5 amps, the available amp hours are decreased. For example, if the load is increased to 100amps, only about 45 amp hours will be available at this rate of discharge. Deep-Cycle batteries can be discharged about 80 percent of capacity before damage occurs.

Sorry for being long winded.

 

[r.spencer]

My idea on lights. 4 to the front in use when on the move , searching. 3 port and 3 starboard. Only in use during rescue/ recovery on that side the other would be off. Should last U.S. All night. If we haven't found anything in 4 hrs at night we usually call off the search until morning. Depending the case.

As far as the tool box goes, a clamp on boat for extra seating and yes, a secure place to put a long spine board on when needed.

 

[SpudPealler]

Great, I did not consider your running engine with lights. A new Merc 25 does have a 15amp alternator, so you are right the draw on batteries would be minimal while running. As a civilian it is illegal for me to run with all those lights on, so I could not count on the engines output while lights are on. (camping / drift fishing)