Title: Norwegian Fireboat Shortened to Meet New Regulations, Expected to Set Sail in January
The Bamble fire department in Norway has successfully shortened its fireboat, preventing it from being?idled indefinitely due to stricter regulations implemented on January 1, 2024. The fireboat, once 8.4 meters long, was cut by 40 centimeters to meet the new eight-meter rule enforced by the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA).
Henning Rogn, the station chief, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, "The boat had been idle for nearly a year, so it’s pleasing to have a solution." To comply with the new regulations, the department had two options: purchasing a new, shorter boat or reducing the length of the existing one. The department chose the latter, investing between 200,000 and 250,000 Norwegian Krone in the alteration.
Previously, the fire department had opposed the new regulations, arguing that it was uneconomical to train all 20-some employees to obtain the necessary D6 certificate. Dag Inge Aarhus, communication director at the NMA, responded to these concerns, "We’re somewhat surprised that an organization focusing on rescue operations seeks to avoid a safety regulation. But it’s not our decision."
However, after much contemplation, the department decided to shorten the boat after learning that others had successfully done the same. Rogn explained, "One question was whether it was indeed possible to get the boat certified after shortening. We needed to know the process, who could do it, and the cost. Once we mapped it out, the result became clear."
The fireboat also received a facelift and upgraded electronics during the alterations, with the total cost exceeding 500,000 Krone. Rogn was grateful for the practical benefits, saying, "Where the boat was cut, we got a proper fender, which likely makes it as useful as before."
Now, the Bamble fireboat awaits final approval from the NMA, expected in January 2024. With a new length of 7.99 meters, it will just slip under the eight-meter regulation threshold.
