The Gibraltar Fire & Rescue Department has received a brand new rescue boat that will better serve the community.  The custom built vessel will be called Gibraltar Rescue 50 and will replace the 30-year-old Boston Whaler Sentry the department has been using since 2006.  Gibraltar Fire Chief Andy Bertges says the 28-foot boat was designed based on real-life experiences and has useful features.  It has radar, sonar, night vision capability, and joystick piloting to allow navigation from the stern.  He says the new boat, which can top out at nearly 50 miles per hour, can cover a lot of water.

Bertges says the rescue boat cost approximately $240,000 and was funded through donations collected by the Gibraltar Fire-Rescue Association.  A boat christening ceremony is planned for this Saturday morning at 10 o’clock at Clark Park in Fish Creek.  The Gibraltar Rescue 50 will be available for tours after the christening.  

Photo courtesy of Gibraltar Fire - Rescue Association