After decades of effort, La Conner firefighters now have a custom-built boat designed for shoreline and marine emergencies.
At last, it’s here
La Conner firefighter and council member Ivan Carlson’s mission to secure a fireboat was fulfilled Tuesday when the $400,000 vessel — funded by the Town and Port of Skagit — was christened before a waterfront crowd.
La Conner firefighter Tony Mitchell called the boat “a dream come true.”
The La Conner Fire Department sprays water from its new fireboat, Marine 27, during its christening ceremony Tuesday. Photo by Nancy K. Crowell/La Conner Community News
Over the years, Carlson and Town officials had appealed to various private and public funding sources for help buying the boat. Town delegations, which included Carlson, even went to Olympia seeking aid from the legislature and state agencies.
“These firefighters save our bacon,” Mayor Marna Hanneman said during the ceremony. “I just want to thank each and everyone involved.”
Hanneman said she and Port Executive Director Sara Young had shared several productive lunches discussing a Town-Port funding partnership for the fireboat. The Port signed on to pay half of the bill soon after being formally approached by the Town.
“It couldn’t have been done without Marna,” Carlson said. “She picked up the ball and advanced it across the goal line.”
Port Commissioner Mahlon Hull said he was impressed that Town officials and La Conner Hook & Ladder had a concrete plan in place for the type of vessel needed here for marine and shoreline emergencies. In his view, the public safety benefits of the fireboat would always outweigh its costs.
“I’m excited that after 30 years, we finally have a boat that can serve our community in a safe way.”
– Fire Chief Aaron Reinstra
Hull joined others who praised the boat’s landing craft design and craftsmanship of its builder, Fulltime Fabrication and Machine Works.
“Fulltime Fabrication did a top-notch job,” Carlson said. “They were flexible with us, dealing with some change orders, and their craftsmanship was excellent.”
The new boat, dubbed Marine 27, will be moored at the Port of Skagit’s La Conner Marina, where Harbormaster Charlie Knapp has lined up space for it.
During the waterfront ceremony, La Conner Fire Chief Aaron Reinstra broke a ceremonial champagne bottle across the boat’s bow and then the vessel’s maneuverability and water spraying range was demonstrated on Swinomish Channel.
“When I joined the department, we didn’t have a boat,” said Reinstra, a La Conner firefighter for more than 30 years. “One of our restaurants caught fire and I learned really quick how hard it was to fight that fire on just one side.”
Afterward, firefighters used a converted boat for emergencies, but it proved inadequate.
“I’m excited that after 30 years, we finally have a boat that can serve our community in a safe way,” Reinstra said.
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
