The Johns Creek Fire Department has acquired a new custom-built rescue/recovery boat designed to speed rescue efforts for those who get into trouble on the Chattahoochee River.
Fire Chief Jeff Hogan said the new boat will be a better fit for the city’s Swift Water Rescue Unit. The boat has a 4-inch draft, enabling it to cruise over shoals that ground other boats. It also has a 200-horsepower motor, special fog lights, advanced sonar, higher cargo capacity and better maneuverability.
Hogan said the new boat was needed, as the city has about 13 miles of riverfront on the Chattahoochee and responds to dozens of water emergencies a year. Nearly 50 of the department’s 86 firefighters have gone through required swift-water training.
About the Author
