HAVFD Takes Delivery Of New Airboat

The long awaited arrival of the new airboat for the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department occurred on Friday, December 12^th, 2008.  The airboat designated 17 Marine Three is based at Station 2 in Kawenoke.  The airboat was picked up by Stan Jacobs, Mike Adams and Issac McDonald in Florida last week for factory training.  Ben Benedict flew down to take part in the training, as well.  They then trucked it home just in time for Ice Rescue Training over the weekend.   

The airboat was built by Diamondback Airboats located in Cocoa Beach, Florida.  The airboat was designed from the keel up to handle ice conditions and cold weather.  HAVFD’s old airboat was modified to work on ice and didn’t adapt well leading to numerous breakdowns and repairs.  The new airboat is specifically designed to work in our winter climate and ice conditions.  In fact, Diamondback sells airboats in Alaska.  It is solid and is made for rescue situations which makes it easier on the responders making the rescues. 

The purchase of the new airboat could not have happened without the hard work of District Chief Cheryl Jacobs and her team that fundraised for over a year to get the funds needed.  Helping with funding was the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the Bank of Nova Scotia and, of course, all of you who contributed at the benefit dances, raffles and boot drives.  This is truly Akwesasne’s boat and it should serve the community for many years.