The new boat has cost €2.5m, of which €1m came from the EU’s regional development fund and €750,000 from France and the local German state of Baden-Württemberg. The remaining costs were raised equally by the fire services of Kehl and Strasbourg. The two towns have created a special body to operate the boat and share crewing and technical operations.

Drawing just 90cm, the semi-planing Europa 1  is propelled by two MAN D 2842 LE 410 12 cylinder engines of 809kW each, riving Kamewa waterjets to provide a top speed of 40 km/hour. The vessel also has a bow thruster and two 230/400V/60kVA diesel generators.

Built completely of aluminium, officials say the vessel breaks many of the traditions of previous fire fighting boats and could set new standards. There is a recovery bow flap and also a recovery and diving platform at the stern. The front deck is strengthened to carry heavy fire fighting gear, with onboard equipment including three protected hydraulic cranes and winches and also two foam cannon of 4,000 litres/min and a range of 65m at 9m height. A passenger transport device can be fitted and the boat carries six 200W searchlights.

By Tom Todd