Duvall Fire Rescue Boat
The first Duvall Fire boat, Marine 261, was a1982 Wooldridge 20′ Extra Plus, specifically made for public safety agencies with heavy duty construction & materials.
The current boat, Marine 66, is a 2010 Wooldridge 20′ Super SportDrifter. It was custom built for Duvall Fire with modifications for waterrescue and lighting.
Both boats were custom manufactured by Wooldridge boats of Seattle Washington.
The marine unit is specifically a water rescue boat, but over the yearsour boat has been used for many different events, thus it is really amulti-purpose craft. Someof the events are listed below but not limited to;
- rescue patients from the water
- transport patients across the flooded valley
- shuttle people to safety during floods
- animal rescue
- local swiftwater technician team support
- King County Dive Team support
- Environmental Protection Agency support
Special events
The boat was used as a fire boat during the hydroplane races at Sea-Fair for 4-5 years during the mid 1990′s.
Marine 66 over the years has shuttled many citizens away from rising flood waters to safety, while also performing at least 8confirmed rescues.
Marine 66 is launched an average of 4 times per flood for possible rescue situations.
Marine 66 has launched in waters all around the area including the base of Snoqualmie Falls, Everett, and up to Money creek on the Skykomish River.
In the mid 90′s a family of 3 was swept off the roadway while trying to drive across the Woodinville Duvall Road through the swollen river. The mother and young infant were rescued, the mom was conscious but hypothermic,successful CPR was performed on the baby. They have come by the station inrecent years to say thanks to the Duvall firefighters.
During the historic flood In January of 2006 the boat shuttled 40 plus people and their family pets during the day to safety. Just after dark near the Woodinville Duvall bridge a man was swept off his feet while taking care of his livestock, he floated downstream until his calls for help were heard by police performing traffic control. The boat was launched andthe man was rescued by Duvall Fire personnel, Lt. Todd Light, FF Pete Greenstreet, & FF Brian Michaud.
In 2007, 8 medical patients were transported across theflooded valley to an awaiting Woodinville aid car for continuation of transportto various hospitals, and one prisoner in custody of the Duvall Policedepartment was transported across and delivered to another police unit fortransport to prison.
The current rescue boat, Marine 66, was placed in service July of 2010 and the first rescue was performed in January of 2011 by Lt.Dhoore, FF Dwyer
Since the current Marine 66 was placed in service in 2011, three successful rescues have been performed.
With it’s proven record, Duvall Fire is currently working on ways to improve it’s marine rescue program.
