Protecting America’s Port: Equipping LAFD Fireboat 2 for the Future

In late November 2025, disaster nearly struck the Port of Los Angeles.

Often called “America’s Port,” it is the largest port in the United States and one of the busiest in the world, handling millions of cargo containers each year.

“Our main priority is ensuring that the Port stays open,” emphasized Captain Cheyane Caldwell of Fire Station 112 in the Harbor.

So when a fire broke out aboard the docked One Henry Hudson in the heart of the nation’s most important commerce hub, there was no time to waste.

Fireboat 2 responded immediately. After several hours of firefighting, crews determined the burning container ship had to be towed into open water to prevent a potential shutdown of the Port. As tugboats guided the vessel out, LAFD Pilot Shaun Corby maneuvered Fireboat 2 alongside, maintaining a constant flow of water onto the fire.

For the next 12 hours, Corby manually maneuvered the fireboat because it lacked an automated anchoring system to hold it in position.

“The guys were exhausted,” Captain Caldwell recalled. “Had there been a proper anchoring system, crews could have been relieved,” Corby added.

The fire was eventually contained, and the Port remained open. But the incident exposed a critical vulnerability in one of the world’s most capable firefighting tools.

Firefighter and Boat Mate Paul Young, a member of the LAFD’s dive team and the crew at Fire Station 112, was on the team that assisted in the search for LAFD member Conor Lee. Because of the location, Fireboat 2 could position itself against the wharf and serve as a base for the dive team. Otherwise, support would have only been possible from a safe distance, increasing the time divers spent swimming to and from the search area.

“And there’s not always a place to dock,” Firefighter Young emphasized. “[Fireboat 2] has full emergency medical service capabilities – a whole room to treat patients and administer medicine.” But those resources cannot be fully utilized without the ability to anchor effectively.

When Fireboat 2 was built in 2002, it was designed to be the largest and most emergency-ready fireboat in the world. But its anchoring system, a critical component, was overlooked.

At the time, the only requirement from the United States Coast Guard was an emergency anchor – the same 70-pound anchor Fireboat 2 carries today, responsible for stabilizing a 317 ton vessel.

To put that into perspective, it’s like asking a large dog to hold two blue whales in place.

That reality was on full display during the One Henry Hudson response.

“An automated anchoring system would give us more flexibility,” Captain Caldwell said. “We could be a huge asset to a campaign fire, but only if we’re able to anchor properly,” he added, citing Fireboat 2’s ability to be a nonstop water resource for fire apparatus on the shore.

Another operational challenge of having to keep the boat running is the prop wash, or “push,” created beneath the vessel, making it difficult for relief boats to approach safely and potentially pushing distressed boats further away.

Beyond its operational limitations, its required manual assembly poses significant dangers. The job of connecting all the parts, including the rope to the pulley system and the anchor itself, then releasing the anchor into the water, requires at least two firefighters. It also means clearing the deck, due to the risk of the rope snapping, or worse – pulling firefighters overboard.

An automated anchor, outfitted for modern firefighting on the water, would ensure stability for Fireboat 2 during extended operations.

“As firefighters, we have to be prepared for the worst-case scenario,” Captain Caldwell emphasized.

Aside from the multitude of private and commercial boater rescues the LAFD’s Marine Division responds to daily, their role in keeping the Port open and functional directly affects everyday conveniences – from bread and toilet paper to the prompt delivery of packages.

“If the Port were to shut down,” Captain Caldwell cautioned, “the impact would be felt in a matter of hours.”

Ships continue to grow larger and are becoming more technologically advanced. More boats are using and transporting lithium batteries, introducing a whole new set of risks.

The LAFD is often looked to as a national leader in modern firefighting due to the breadth and complexity of the region it serves. For such a vital Department, it’s not just about making things work – it’s about being better, stronger, and more equipped for any emergency.