(l. to r.) Two fire fighters from Nanjemoy Volunteer Fire Department (Company 4), County Commissioner Edith J. Patterson (District 2), Carla Fleming of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and Congressman Steny Hoyer stand next to the newly acquired fire and rescue vessel. (Submitted photo)
NANJEMOY, Md. (Aug. 22, 2008)—Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-5th), County Commissioner Edith J. Patterson (District 2), and Carla Fleming of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources on Thursday inspected and took a test run in Boat 4, a new fire and rescue vessel that was recently purchased to increase the capabilities of the Nanjemoy Volunteer Fire Department (Company 4).
Company 4 has been providing assistance to boaters, swimmers, and property owners along the Potomac and its creeks since 1990 with a 22-foot Boston Whaler. After reaching its life cycle of 18 years, Company 4 sought to replace it with a larger vessel.
The new 30-foot long (9.5-foot wide) Argus Class boat was designed specifically for Nanjemoy and took six months to build. The heavy-duty, aluminum-hull craft was designed to meet the requirements for fire, search and rescue, and patrol boats. The vessel carries 200 gallons of fuel, drafts 18 inches of water, and can pump 1,000 to 3,000 gallons of water per minute. It can carry up to 20 people on board plus the crew.
The new boat cost $321,000, and was paid for with federal and county funding, plus a $50,000 grant from the Md. Department of Natural Resources. In addition, funds were also raised by Company 4.