New York's Newest Fire Boat, "343",
On the 8th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, hundreds celebrated the lives of those who were lost.
WJHG 9/11/09
On the 8th anniversary of the 9-11
attacks, hundreds celebrated the
lives of those who were lost.
Joe Stark, Ret. FDNY & Engineer
said, “343 fire fighters made the
ultimate sacrifice that day. We are
here to celebrate their lives."
New York’s newest fire boat was
named in the honor of the 343
firefighters and paramedics that
died saving others. The letters on
the boat were forged from pieces of
steel from the World Trade Center.
"The fire boat will keep their
memory and always be a reminder of
that day when those brave souls
participated in what was the
greatest rescue in history,” said
Retired FDNY Chief, Bill Siegel.
With the ceremonial breaking of a
champagne bottle on the ships bow,
"343" was on her way to the water.
"It was great seeing that boat
getting launched today. We haven't
done this before and it hasn't been
done in 50 years."
There were smiles and some tears as
victims of the attacks were
remembered. But the firefighters
that lost friends and family say
those 343 would have been humbled by
this honor.
"A joyous occasion to see the boat
getting launched and to be able to
honor the men and women of the New
York City fire department that lost
their lives on September 11th," said
FDNY Battalion Chief, James Dalton.
Every time this boat goes to work it
will honor those who gave their
lives, while fighting to save
others. The "343" will make the 8
day trip up the east coast to New
York City during the second week of
December.
FDNY will spend three to four months
training with the vessel before it's
put into service in April. Eastern
shipbuilding has already begun work
on the 343's identical sister ship,
"the firefighter ii", which will
replace one of New York City’s
70-year-old fire boats.
.
“343” is not only a floating
memorial, it's also the world's most
advanced fire fighting boat, capable
of pumping 50 thousand gallons of
water a minute, and protecting fire
fighters from nuclear and biological
agents.
|
|
