NOAA's party boat

[likwid]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman

It's not just the government. The federal government under the homeland security umbrella along with numerous so call "stimulus" packages have given hundreds if not thousands of boats to communities. Most of these are a complete waste of taxpayer money. I can think of two on MV alone. I am sure you have them in your town too. Here is the latest gov paid "free" boat debacle where I live:
Tisbury harbormaster takes delivery of new $250,000 patrol vessel : The Martha's Vineyard Times


BTW... I heard it is plagued with issues.

So what issues is it plagued with?


The aluminum boat was designed with security, law enforcement, rescue, and firefighting capabilities. It will be the only boat in the harbor capable of responding to a fire.

[spence]

Originally Posted by likwid

So what issues is it plagued with?


The aluminum boat was designed with security, law enforcement, rescue, and firefighting capabilities. It will be the only boat in the harbor capable of responding to a fire.

Why would you need to fight a fire from the water? It's not like the docks at a place like Menemsha would ever catch fire.

-spence

[likwid]

Originally Posted by spence

Why would you need to fight a fire from the water? It's not like the docks at a place like Menemsha would ever catch fire.

-spence

NEVER!

[buckman]

true story... Mt Chace Me. is a little tiny remote northern Maine township. They recieved Homeland funds for a 400K fire engine. It sits in a garage where it awaits the all volunteer firefighters. The house next door to the fire station burnt to the ground before they could get to the fire house. Never mind the house was worth 20K. The 400K fire truck never moved.

[likwid]

Homeland Security must have covered up the story.

[spence]

Originally Posted by buckman

true story... Mt Chace Me. is a little tiny remote northern Maine township. They recieved Homeland funds for a 400K fire engine. It sits in a garage where it awaits the all volunteer firefighters. The house next door to the fire station burnt to the ground before they could get to the fire house. Never mind the house was worth 20K. The 400K fire truck never moved.

What's the point of the story? Did the township not need a fire truck?

-spence

[buckman]

Originally Posted by spence

What's the point of the story? Did the township not need a fire truck?

-spence

Yes that's the point Spence... it would be cheaper to build new houses when they burn. And the houses would be better

[spence]

Originally Posted by buckman

Yes that's the point Spence... it would be cheaper to build new houses when they burn. And the houses would be better

Is it really? Your story didn't say anything about the fire department not needing a new truck...if anything it was an ironic tale, but not much more.

I'd think that in a rural area the local volunteer fire department probably serves many different towns. I do know a thing about fire trucks and even the basic ones are pretty expensive, most are customized for the local municipality. 400 grand doesn't even get you anything fancy...

So was this fire truck a needless accessory, pushed upon the people of Maine by radically liberal central planners? Or did the Federal Government help a rural area better prepare for their emergency services with an expense not easily justified with meager local tax dollars?

-spence