Incident may support lifeguard pleas for needed rescue fireboat, more staff Fire erupted at the Mission Bay Yacht Club on March 19, quickly spreading and damaging a newly reconstructed boat dock and seven boats — four of which were completely destroyed — at the El Carmel location, said San Diego Fire-Rescue Department spokesperson Maurice Luque. Investigators determined the fire to be accidental, likely sparked by an electrical malfunction on a below-deck refrigerator aboard the “Sea Passion,” a 36-foot cabin cruiser fishing boat. Firefighters and lifeguards doused the flames in 45 minutes with the aid of a fire helicopter. No one was injured, but damage to the boats and dock are estimated at $1.3 million. Both of the Lifeguard Service’s multi-purpose rescue vessels — or fireboats — were on-hand to extinguish the flames. However, one of the fireboats, Marine 2, is nearing the end of its operational life span at 21 years old, and it failed to function properly after the blaze was put out. “Both [were] operating during the fire. However, at the end of the incident, one of the boats had an electrical problem and could no longer operate its pumps,” Luque said. “This did not affect operations as the fire was out and the incident had come to an end.” Just one week prior to the incident, San Diego lifeguards issued a plea to a City Council subcommittee requesting help in maintaining two fully functional fireboats and increasing staffing to improve public safety on Mission Bay. Funding to outfit a new diesel engine on one of the fireboats, Marine 1, has been identified in this year’s budget. However, lifeguards are also seeking funding for a new fireboat — a nearly $1 million investment — to replace Marine 2 in the near future. “As a result of city budget challenges during the past several years, estimated vessel operational life spans have been increased,” stated a report issued by San Diego lifeguards to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on March 14. “Annual repairs and refurbishment have enabled us to delay replacement. However, despite these efforts, we will need to address the need for a replacement boat soon,” continues the lifeguards’ report. Vessel replacements in the past have been funded through one-time, individual budget solutions, like a Department of Boating and Waterways grant, a corporate sponsorship, or city budget allocation, according to the report. The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee created a working group to examine the lifeguards’ equipment and personnel needs, and the mayor’s office is also considering options to address the need for a future vessel replacement. Any action on funding for lifeguard services is required to go to City Council for final approval.
