Fireboat John J Harvey
1931 fireboat John J Harvey
Fireboat John J Harvey Tentative Tour Schedule:
Schedule to be announced
Please check back for schedule updates.
Due to berthing and depth constraints, not all vessels will be at all tour stops. Expected vessels can change without notice.
Length: 130’
Draft: 9’
Capacity: 65
Built in 1931 at Todd Shipbuilding at the foot of 23rd Street on Brooklyn's Gowanus Bay, MV John J. Harvey is among the most powerful fireboats ever in service. She is of steel construction with a riveted hull. Propulsion is by twin screws six feet in diameter. She has five 600 HP diesel engines, and has capacity to pump 18,000 gallons of water a minute. Her pumps are powerful -- enough so that when she and the George Washington Bridge were both brand new, she shot water over the bridge's roadway. She was retired by the New York City Fire Department in 1994 and bought at auction by her current owners in 1999. She was placed on The National Register of Historic Places in June 2000.
With frequent free public trips in New York Harbor and up the Hudson River, Harvey promotes interest in the waterfront for towns in New York State. We offer public access to our harbors, training in new skills, and a chance to preserve an important part of our history. In addition, our magnificent water displays are frequent in warm weather
John J Harvey was one of the first boats to respond to the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedy. FDNY designated Harvey “Marine Company Two” and assigned an officer. She was joined by FDNY boats Fire Fighter and McKean on the sea-wall to provide the only water available at the site. Harvey’s crew worked non-stop for four days until the hydrants had been restored and she was sent home.
More information can be found at www.fireboat.org.