{{Short description|US fireboat operating in the Columbia River}} {{Other uses|Discovery (disambiguation){{!}}Discovery}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image |image= |image_caption= }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career |hide_header= |country=United States |flag=100x35px|Civil Ensign of the United States |name=''Discovery'' |operator=Vancouver Fire Department |ordered= |awarded= |original_cost= $1,597,000 |builder=Munson Marine |yard_number= |laid_down= |launched= |sponsor= |christened= |completed=April 2015 |acquired= |commissioned=16 May 2014 |recommissioned= |decommissioned= |in_service= |out_of_service= |renamed= |reclassified= |refit= |struck= |reinstated= |homeport= |motto= |nickname= |honours= |honors= |status= |notes= |badge= }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics |hide_header= |header_caption= |type=Fireboat |tonnage= |displacement= |length={{convert|46|ft|m}} |beam= |height= |draft= |hold_depth= |ice_class= |sail_plan= |power= |propulsion= |speed={{convert|35|mph|kph}} |range= |endurance= |boats= |capacity=*Water Pumping Capacity *{{convert|3000|usgal|L impgal|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} per minute |complement=3 |crew=3 |time_to_activate= variable- crew not housed at vessel |notes= }} }}
'''''Discovery''''' is a fireboat launched on the Columbia River in 2014.<ref> {{cite news |url = http://www.cityofvancouver.us/fire/page/vancouver-fire-boat-dedication-event |title = Vancouver Fire Boat Dedication Event |publisher = Vancouver, Washington |date = 16 May 2014 |access-date = 20 June 2014 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20140620235213/http://www.cityofvancouver.us/fire/page/vancouver-fire-boat-dedication-event |archive-date = 20 June 2014 }} </ref><ref name=VfdDiscoverySpecs> {{cite news |url = http://www.cityofvancouver.us/fire/page/vancouvers-quick-response-boat |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170131210821/http://cityofvancouver.us/fire/page/vancouvers-quick-response-boat |archive-date = 2017-01-31 |title = Vancouver's quick response boat |publisher = Vancouver, Washington |date = May 2014 |access-date = 20 June 2014 }} </ref><ref name=Columbian2014-04-22> {{cite news | url = http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/apr/22/new-vancouver-fireboat-be-named-discovery/ | title = New Vancouver fireboat to be named Discovery | publisher = The Columbian | author = Lauren Dake | date = 22 April 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140620222407/http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/apr/22/new-vancouver-fireboat-be-named-discovery/ | archive-date =20 June 2014 }} </ref> The Discovery is operated by the Vancouver Fire Department.<ref name=TheColubian2012-12-02/> The vessel can pump {{convert|3000|USgal/min|L/min|abbr=on}} for firefighting, and is the city's first dedicated fireboat.
She was purchased through a port security grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.<ref name=Columbian2014-04-22/> The $2.7 million grant was shared with the Fire Department of nearby Astoria, Oregon, and Clark County Fire & Rescue.
In 2002 a Washington Survey and Review Bureau evaluation reported that Vancouver maritime commerce was well above the size where the city needed a dedicated fireboat.<ref name="Fema2009-02"> {{cite news |author=Michael E. Senchyna |date=February 2009 |title=Marine Response Vessel Use and Design Assessment |url=https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/pdf/efop/efo43007.pdf |work=NETC Library Index and Catalog |publisher=Federal Emergency Management Agency}} </ref> The publication of the report triggered an increase in local insurance rates. The FEMA research paper ''Marine Response Vessel Use and Design Assessment'' recommended that Vancouver's fireboat should have a minimum pumping capacity of at least {{convert|5000|USgal/min|L/min|abbr=on}}.
==Operation== In addition to her fire-fighting capability the vessel is equipped with infrared sensors to support search and rescue missions.<ref name=VfdDiscoverySpecs/> In her cabin there is a decontamination station as well as facilities for providing emergency medical care and transportation. She is equipped with equipment to contain oil and other hazardous material spills. In addition, she was designed to be of use in the event of natural or man-made disasters, like earthquakes, or terrorist attacks.
The Discovery is available to respond anywhere on the Columbia River system. (when staffed) Vancouver Fire responded to 22 maritime incidents in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 June 2025 |title=Vancouver Fire Department Annual Report 2024 |url=https://www.cityofvancouver.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/VFD-Annual-Report_2024-final.pdf |access-date=27 June 2025 |website=www.vanfire.org}}</ref>
The Discovery is not staffed full time. She operates with a minimum crew of 3- pilot, deckhand and rescue swimmer. In normal circumstances, this crew is assigned to a "marine engine company" in town, which must respond several miles to reach the Discovery for an emergency response. If that engine company is committed to an incident, or if the engine crew on a given day does not contain the requisite pilot, deckhand and swimmer, the Discovery cannot operate and won't be dispatched.
==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name=TheColubian2012-12-02> {{cite news | url = http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/dec/02/new-fire-boat-to-the-rescue/# | title = New fire boat coming to the rescue? | work = The Columbian | author = Stephanie Rice | date = 2012-12-02 | access-date = 2018-03-03 | quote = The Coast Guard, after conducting a study of regional needs, supported the city's application for a Department of Homeland Security grant. }} </ref> }}
Category:Fireboats of the United States Category:2014 ships