Portsmouth Fire Conducts Marine Rescue Training

Portsmouth Fire Department’s C Platoon conducted marine training at McCorrie Point today (June 25, 2013). 

Marine 1 (19 ft Boston Whaler) and Marine 3 (12 ft inflatable) practiced victim recoveries and man overboard evolutions.  Crews launched the marine units from McCorrie Beach; a common starting point for many marine operations.

Portsmouth Fire Department is responsible for covering 36 square miles of the Narragansett Bay; firefighters have responded to 105 water rescues in the last 3 years and 19 water rescues this month alone.

Despite the frequency of water emergencies, Portsmouth crews still conduct marine training several times a year.  The level of danger that PFD responders are exposed to during marine incidents make this level of commitment necessary.  Portsmouth Boats are launched in all types of weather, all year round, and any time of day.