Fireboat John J. Harvey
We are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, dedicated to the preservation of retired FDNY fireboat John J. Harvey.
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At 130 feet and 268 gross tons, she is among the most powerful fireboats ever in service, capable of pumping up to 18,000 gallons of water a minute.
History
She served the FDNY from her launch in 1931 to her retirement in 1994. Among the marine fires at which she assisted were the Cunard Line pier fire in 1932, the burning of the Normandie in 1942, and the ammunition ship El Estero during World War II. She was named for marine fireman John J. Harvey, killed when the Thomas Willet exploded during a fire. She retired as Marine 2.
After journalist Jessica DuLong was laid off from her dot-com job, life took an unexpected turn. A volunteer day aboard fireboat John J. Harvey led to a job in the engine room, where she found a taste of home she hadn't realized she was missing. Buy it Now! (or read more)
Naming Opportunities
Honor a person or an event by naming a part of this important vessel, and receive lasting recognition for your support of the fireboat!
Our Next Event
September 11, 2001
On September 11, 2001, the boat's owners asked FDNY officials for permission to assist in evacuations from Ground Zero. Meanwhile, due to many damaged water mains, fire crews were deprived of water. Officials radioed the Harvey to drop off her passengers as soon as possible and return to the disaster site to pump water, reactivating her official designation Marine 2. Alongside FDNY fireboats Firefighter and John D. McKean, she pumped water at the site for 80 hours, until water mains were restored. The Harvey's story was the subject of a 2002 Maira Kalman book.