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The Fireboat Tiburon is a modern 35 feet (11 m) fireboat acquired by Tiburon, California's fire department in 2006. Two thirds of the vessel's cost was paid through a Port security grant from FEMA, a sub-agency of the Department of Homeland Security. She replaced a used vessel acquired from the Los Angeles Fire Department in 2003.
On October 12, 2008, nearby Angel Island, a state park, was struck by serious brush fires. Fireboat Tiburon was one of the nearby fireboats which helped bring those fires under control.
Fireboat Tiburon has rescued recreational boaters when their vessels were ablaze, helped fight those fires, and helped prevent the burning vessels from alighting vessels moored nearby.
Design
Fireboat Tiburon, like other fireboats purchased with the help of a port security grant, has first aid facilities, has sensors for search and rescue.
The vessel is a catamaran, with a 22 inch draft, and twin 380 brake horsepower (280 kW) diesels engines power waterjets, not propellers, allowing her to be able to risk getting close to shore, without damage.