Typical Specifications

Bringing Next-Generation Fire-Fighting Capability to Port Canaveral

When Canaveral Fire Rescue in Cape Canaveral, Florida needed to boost to its emergency response capability as Port Canaveral prepared to become the nation’s first LNG-fueled cruise ship terminal, Metal Shark was ready with the modern and sophisticated 70 Defiant. This purpose-built welded aluminum monohull fireboat sets new standards in virtually all categories. Designed by Metal Shark’s in-house engineering team utilizing a proven hull form and a modern crew-friendly arrangement, the 70 Defiant boasts unmatched versatility, with high-volume pumping capacity, onboard EMS center, command and control capability, and crew-friendly accommodations for a boatload of firefighters. Metal Shark works directly with its fireboat customers to assure that key particulars of each vessel are optimized to enhance that department’s operational readiness. This American-made vessel utilizes Metal Shark’s globally proven Defiant-class hull design, with hundreds of parent-class vessels in service worldwide.

Hull Design, Construction & Performance

The 70 Defiant features an extensively-proven Metal Shark hull design that has been engineered and built to precise tolerances. To achieve its superior hull life rating, the vessel’s hull, deck, and superstructure are composed entirely of heavy, welded plates of premium 5086 aluminum-magnesium alloy. The Defiant-class running surface has been designed for maximum efficiency and performance. This efficiency, combined with the vessel’s durable construction, results in the lowest possible operational costs while at the same time assuring maximum operability. Depending on client needs, the 70 Defiant may be equipped with a wide range of propulsion types including water jet, straight shaft inboard, and pods.The new Canaveral fireboat is powered by quad V8, 16-liter, 800-horsepower MAN D2868 LE 425 inboard diesel engines coupled to quad Hamilton HM461 waterjets via ZF 500A-1 transmissions. As equipped, the vessel reaches a top speed in excess of 30 knots. Hamilton’s Modular Electronic Control System (MECS) and JETanchor system provide autopilot capability, precise joystick maneuvering, autonomous station keeping, and a GPS-based “virtual anchor” mode.

Best-in-Class Visibility

The 70 Defiant features an innovative pilothouse designed for best-in-class visibility. Metal Shark’s signature “pillarless glass” with reverse-raked windshield significantly reduces blind spots compared to conventional pilothouse fireboats with their smaller, framed windows. An innovative two-tiered side window arrangement features a second row of windows below the beltline for unobstructed downward-angle visibility from the vessel’s elevated pilothouse, assuring safe operation during man-overboard retrieval or while maneuvering alongside smaller vessels. A sweeping skylight array provides unimpeded upward visibility when operating alongside ships or elevated structures, or during helicopter hoisting operations. The result is mission-enhancing visibility throughout the complete range of firefighting and rescue scenarios.

Custom-Configurable Pilothouse Arrangement

As built for Canaveral Fire Rescue, the 70 Defiant’s elevated, climate-controlled pilothouse features seating for five, with Llebroc ballistic nylon seats mounted on SHOXS shock-mitigating pedestals. A center helm arrangement places the operator front-and-center, with all instruments and controls within easy reach. The helm is flanked by the fire control center to port and navigator’s station to starboard. A dedicated officer/command/communications station is situated aft. The vessel features an advanced Raymarine electronics suite including 16” and 24” AXIOM multifunction displays with CHIRP sonar, Raymarine Quantum 2 Q24D 18” Doppler radar, eAIS500 class-A transceiver, dual RAY73 VHF radios with GPS, AIS receiver and loudhailer, three CAM229 Eyeball CCT day/night video cameras, two AX8 thermal and visible imaging cameras for temperature measurement, and FLIR MX400 Infrared imaging system with fire fighting software. A CBRNE air filtration / cabin pressurization package with full spectrum detection system protects the crew from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosive threats.

Roomy Aft House

The 70 Defiant features a large and versatile aft house that may be custom-configured to meet specific operator requirements. As built for Canaveral Fire Rescue, this roomy, easily-accessed space houses a dedicated EMS and patient treatment center; crew galley and mess area, and dedicated utility room for the storage of tools and firefighting equipment. Large windows provide plenty of outside light and provide superb visibility. Separate stairwells lead up to the pilothouse and below to the belowdecks bow cabin, and outside access is provided via full-height solid port and starboard doors and an extra-wide roll-up fireproof garage door aft.

Modern, Crew-Friendly Deck Layout

The 70 Defiant boasts a modern and spacious crew-friendly layout that allows firefighters to perform their work more safely and efficiently. Crews aboard the 70 Defiant enjoy smartly-configured, wide-open work spaces that facilitate safe and surefooted movement from bow to stern. The enormous aft cockpit assures maximum versatility, and extra wide doorways facilitate cabin access. Wide, non-skid walkways feature low-level LED lighting for night missions, and careful consideration has been given to the placement of all rails and grab handles. A custom, oversized stern platform assures easy water-level access for diver ops and man overboard recovery. From bow to stern, heavy emphasis has been placed on accessibility and ease of use, resulting in a purpose-built fire fighting machine with next-level capabilities and a crew-friendly layout that fire fighters will love.

Fire Fighting Particulars

The 70 Defiant has been designed to deliver maximum firefighting firepower while maintaining full steering authority at all times. Twin PTO-driven Darley ZSP 3000 self-priming fire pumps mounted forward of the center engines deliver a flow rate in excess of 8,500 GPM while allowing both outer engines to maintain 100% propulsion capability when the vessel is pumping water. Each pump draws from its own dedicated in-hull sea chest, feeding a central manifold with crossover capability, which in turn supplies the entire system. Flow is directed as desired from the fire control station at the port helm via electronically-actuated 8” valves to feed dual remote-operated Elkhart Scorpion bow monitors, a remote-operated Elkhart Magnum rooftop monitor, two Elkhart Copperhead aft-mounted monitors, and four 5” Storz hydrant outlets. For fighting high-hazard flammable liquid fires, the vessel carries 500 gallons of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), which may be deployed selectively through any or all of the vessel’s monitors and hydrant fittings. To further combat liquid fires, the vessel also carries 500 pounds of Purple K dry chemical fire suppressant, which is dispersed via a dedicated remote-operated bow monitor.

Belowdecks Accommodations

The 70 Defiant offers large belowdecks crew quarters that may be configured to suit specific mission profiles. Typical features may include multiple bunks forward, full galley, enclosed head and hanging lockers. A mid-cabin offers ample space for additional bunking or multi-use storage space. Sleeping accommodations may be separated from the pilothouse, allowing off-watch crew to rest without disturbing operations, which the vessel’s aforementioned aft house adds further flexibility.

For more information on the 70 Defiant fireboat or any other vessel in the Metal Shark lineup, we invite you to contact us today.