William Lyon Mackenzie (fireboat)

Career (Toronto, Ontario)
Name: William Lyon Mackenzie
Namesake: William Lyon Mackenzie
Owner: City of Toronto
Operator: Toronto Fire Services (previous Toronto Fire Department 1964-1997)
Ordered: 1963
Awarded: 1963
Builder: Russel Brothers Limited, Owen Sound, Ontario
Cost: CAD$605,000
Yard number: 1216
Laid down: 1963
Launched: November 7, 1963
Sponsored by: Canadian Maritime Commission
Christened: 1963
Completed: 1963
Acquired: December 1963
Commissioned: 1964
Maiden voyage: December 1964
In service: 1964-present
Out of service: 2004 (refit)
Reinstated: 2004
Homeport: Toronto
Nickname: Mac
Status: Active
Notes: Named after William Lyon Mackenzie
General characteristics
Type: Fireboat-Icebreaker
Tonnage: 102 gt
Displacement: 200 tonnes
Length: 24.7m (81 feet)
Beam: 6m (20 feet)
Draft: 2.5m (7 feet)
Depth: 3m
Ice class: 1C
Propulsion: 2 x 3412 Caterpillar Diesel
Speed: 12 knots (13.8 mph; 22.2 km/h) - max 22km/hr
Complement: 3, (can use boost crew of 4)
Crew: 22

William Lyon Mackenzie # 334, named for Toronto's first mayor William Lyon Mackenzie, is a fireboat for the Toronto Fire Services. It was built in 1964 with a modified Tugboat hull to provide marine fire fighting as well as ice breaking capabilities. In 2004 the fireboat was refurbished and it is expected to be in service until 2037.

Contents

Inirial design

As designed, the vessel was to be equipped with radar, echo sounder, radio, and daytime accommodation for the off-duty shift.[1]

Equipment

The fire boat is equipped with:

The boat is docked at 339 Queen's Quay West, Fire Station #334. It is the main fireboat for the City of Toronto's Fire Services. Built in Owen Sound, Ontario by Russel Brothers Limited. The William Lyon Mackenzie operates 12 months a year, providing emergency services within Toronto Harbour and the adjacent waters of Lake Ontario. The T.F.S recently acquired the Sora as a backup vessel for the William Lyon Mackenzie. The Sora will be staffed by the crew of the Wm. Lyon Mackenzie.

Refurbishment

In 2004, the vessel completed a $1+ million refurbishment that will extend the in-service life of the vessel by approximately 30 years. The main propulsion diesels engines were replaced and the "Aerial" platform was refurbished.[2]

Notes

  1. ^ Arthur Brydon (1961-10-02). "$`150,000 Toronto Tug Launched at Erieau Honors THC Veteran". Blobe and Mail. http://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/63106/page/50?w=1600&h=1200. Retrieved 2012-01-02. "Still in the works for the harbor is a fire boat to be paid for by the city. It is in the process of being built. The new craft is 65 feet long with an 18-foot beam and is equipped with radar, echo sounder and radio. Daytime accommodation is provided for the crew which will work in two shifts." 
  2. ^ (PDF) Toronto Fire Service Annual Report 2004. http://www.toronto.ca/fire/annual_report/pdf/tfs_2004_annual_report.pdf. Retrieved 2007-12-17. 

External links