Guan Xiao Er Hao – Asia’s latest fireboat

December 2, 2011

On November 3, 2011, the new RAnger 4600 Class Fireboat, Guan Xiao Er Hao was delivered to the Dongguan Fire Services Department, China by the builder Wang Tak Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Hong Kong. This latest in the RAnger series of fireboats was designed by Naval Architects Robert Allan Ltd. of Vancouver, Canada.

Guan Xiao Er Hao (which simply means “Dongguan Fireboat Number 2”) is a 46 metre, twin screw, diesel-powered fireboat; specifically designed for marine and shore-side fire fighting and offshore rescue in the Pearl River Estuary, the Pearl River and the Dongguan region harbour environment. This fireboat has been designed to perform a wide variety of tasks, including:

• Safety Service & fire-fighting standby in the PetroChemical Industrial Zone on Dongguan Lisha Island
• Fire-fighting operations at offshore installations and in rivers and ports in the area
• Supply of land fire mains
• Search & Rescue Operations
• Initial salvage response
• Incident Command Centre

Guan Xiao Er Hao has the following particulars:

Capacities are as follows:

The Propulsion machinery consists of a pair of Caterpillar 3516B-HD diesel engines, each rated 1864 bkW at 1600 rpm. They each drive a 2000 mm diameter fixed pitch propeller.

Electrical power is supplied by a pair of Caterpillar C18 DITA diesel gensets, each rated 350 kW.

The Fire-fighting equipment for the new fireboat, all of which was supplied by FFS (headquartered in Moss, Norway) is effectively to a Fi-Fi 2 International standard and comprises the following:

Fire Pumps:

• 3 FFS 500/400-80 pumps rated at 3600 m³/h at 146 mLC

Fire Monitors:

• 1 x FFS 3600 with water capacity of 3600 m³/hr
• 2 x FFS 2400/600 with water capacity of 2400 m³/hr and foam output capacity of 600 m³/hr
• 2 x FFS 600/150 with water capacity of 600 m³/hr and foam capacity of 150 m³/hr
• 2 x FFS 600 with water capacity of 600 m³/hr

The Fi-Fi system includes:

• Combined remote and manual operated fire-fighting monitors
• Foam system: 2 x foam injection pumps and 6 x foam proportioners
• Deck outlets: 14 x 80 mm deckheads for water/foam delivery; and 2 x 300 mm outlets for delivery to landside (when vessel functions as pump station)
• Water deluge system using FFS nozzles

The vessel has been built in accordance with the China Classification Society notation: ★ CSAD, ★ CSMD, Coastal Service, Fire Fighting Ship 2

The Guan Xiao Er Hao, illustrated in the accompanying General Arrangement drawing and photographs, has the following design features:

• Bridge Deck:
  • wheelhouse forward: arranged to maximum all-round visibility, and with overhead viewing windows. Wheelhouse controls consist of a centerline main navigation console, a port side communication station and starboard navigation controls.
  • a command centre is located central in the wheelhouse with chart table for coordinating on-scene activities with land-based resources and fi-fi controls

• Main Deck:
  • fire-fighting equipment room: outfitted with shelving to store hoses, fittings, rescue equipment, SCBA air-packs, etc. and serving double duty as a medical treatment room
  • crew transport room: comfortable seating area with television and lockers for crew’s gear and PFD storage
  • large water level rescue platform for diver access and casualty recovery
  • multiple hydrant outlets for water supply to shore systems
  • flush-mounted, machinery access/removal flush hatch
  • exterior aft controls on main deck
  • fully outfitted crew accommodation for 10 crew
  • well furnished rest area for fire fighters in the event of extended operations
  • a 33 seat conference and command/control center
  • rescue area for seating of 40 with 10 stretcher stations
  • hospital with 2 patient beds
  • large stowage areas for air bottles with re-charging facilities; same air supply to service diving operations with umbilical lines
  • aft rescue/diving platform
  • stowage of 1 x 21 ft. Boston Whaler IMPACT and 1 x 9M AL pursuit launch at open aft deck; launching by hydraulic deck crane
  • helicopter lifting deck space
  • mooring for diving operation to 50M water depth

• Below Main Deck:
  • lavatory facilities
  • a spacious engine room with full walking height access to all machinery
  • the steering gear flat, in which three stainless steel foam tanks and the FM 200 fire suppression system are also located
  • one 350 kW and one 250 kW, electrically driven Schottel thruster unit installed as bow and stern thruster respectively for enhanced station-keeping and close quarters manoeuvring control
  • anti-rolling tank for good sea keeping capability

On trials, the new fireboat achieved 16 knots and exceeded all performance expectations.

The RAnger class of fireboats are available in a wide range of lengths and Fi-Fi capacity. These designs are generally intended to be used as the starting point for each new fireboat design, in response to each port’s unique operational needs.

For more information on Guan Xiao Er Hao, or any other RAnger Series emergency response vessels, please contact design@ral.ca.