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A new 31-foot fire and rescue vessel is expected to arrive at Marblehead Harbor in early November, bringing enhanced emergency response capabilities to the waterfront. It will be named the Stacey Clark, like its predecessor.
The $589,000 aluminum Munson Marine Packcat tri-hull, built in Burlington, Washington to harbormaster specifications, will serve as the primary patrol boat for the Marblehead Harbormaster’s Office year-round, including during winter months when recreational boating activity traditionally slows but safety concerns remain.
The town secured $387,000 through a Port Security Grant, with the balance covered by local matching funds.
Harbormaster Mark Souza confirmed the vessel features twin Honda 350-horsepower engines, an 11-foot beam and full firefighting capabilities along with an internal gas-powered dewatering pump. The boat includes shore landing capabilities and state-of-the-art communications equipment.
The new boat will replace aging patrol vessels and provide improved response capacity for both commercial and recreational harbor users. Its winterized outboard engines will allow harbor patrol operations to continue through cold weather, addressing increased off-season activity including winter sailing and kayaking.
The vessel’s firefighting systems will extend the harbor department’s emergency response reach across Marblehead’s waterfront. The boat’s dewatering pump will assist vessels taking on water, while shore landing capabilities will enable emergency personnel to access areas without traditional dock infrastructure.
Harbor officials emphasized the boat’s communications and navigation electronics, which include radar, sonar, GPS and thermal imaging systems. These technologies will support search and rescue operations and nighttime patrols.
