This morning at 0209hrs the Dover Fire Departments Foam Unit was requested to assist in Fire Suppression efforts for a Barge on fire in the area of the Miah Maull Lighthouse in the Delaware Bay.
Utility 1 and Foam Unit 1 made the response and were directed to the Delaware Bay Launch Service in Slaughter Beach for transportation to the scene.
The Foam Unit was lifted on to the Vessel Big Stone Express and secured with the crew 2 members from Dover and 2 members from Lepsic FC. The Vessel was assigned the call sign Foam Boat 1 for the duration of the incident.
Foam Boat 1 arrived on scene approximately 1hr 20min after they went underway. Operations directed Foam Boat 1 to secure a supply line from 54 Marine 1 for fire attack on the Stern of the Barge.
54 Marine 1 experienced mechanical issues and was forced to reposition to a safe area. 53 Marine 1 assumed the assignment, tied off to Foam Boat 1 and supplied the Foam Unit. Foam Boat 1 placed a Monitor and 1-1.75” hand-line inservice until Command had all Vessels discontinue Fire Suppression efforts working with DNREC and the US Coast Guard on other tactics. Fire Boat 1 returned to the dock in Slaughter Beach and Foam Unit 1 returned to the City. At the time of this post the Barge continues to burn and additional efforts are being made to mitigate the emergency.