Leading up to the 2025 July 4th Holiday, Cooper Cross of Sparky’s Fireworks initiated a fund-raising campaign to update the Eagle Mountain Fire Department and EMS fire boat, Marine 21. Supporters of this campaign donated money directly to the Fire Department by scanning a QR code displayed at Sparky’s Fireworks stands, using the Fire Department’s website donation tab, or by dropping off or mailing a check to the Fire Department.
The most expensive part of the Marine 21 updates was the installation of a new engine. Suzuki Marine helped in a big way by selling the fire department a new 200HP Suzuki 4 stroke outboard for 30% off WHOLESALE pricing and provided a commercial 3-year warranty on the new engine.
The fire boat needed a new engine because the one that was on the boat was an old two stroke engine that would not idle properly for long periods of time; which was a big problem in fighting a fire as the pressure of the water coming out of the fire nozzle causes the boat to move backwards and/or sideways and an engine that could operate at low RPM’s for long periods of time was desperately needed. Additionally, the engine that was replaced was not the correct shaft length for the vessel’s hull configuration. This caused very poor top end performance and significantly increased the time it took to get from the fire boat’s home dock, near Party Cove, to emergencies around Eagle Mountain Lake.
Along with the new engine, a hydraulic jack plate was installed. This provides the boat with even better performance at both medium to higher speeds and also allows the boat to run in shallow water when needed. Other updates completed were new engine controls, a new hydraulic steering pump, retrofitting the fuel system and eliminating a redundant extra fuel tank for the water pump, a new battery bank, and a digital charging system.
A properly working fire boat on Eagle Mountain Lake is a must. Earlier this year, Marine 21 assisted the Azle Fire Department in putting out a boat fire, likely started by arsonists at West Bay Marina. Without the two fire departments working together, it could have been disastrous had the boat fire not been quickly extinguished. When necessary, Marine 21 can also be used at private boat docks around the lake, as many are not easily accessed by land. Another highly likely use of the fire boat in the future will be to aid land-based fire fighters in areas where no fire hydrants exist. Used similar to a (floating) fire hydrant, the fire boat can provide water to the land-based pump truck fighting a fire.
Marine 21 is also used as a primary transport vessel for injured people on Eagle Mountain Lake where transport by water is necessary. The fire boat is already configured to hold the gurney and the last part of the updating of the boat is to install a davit-type lifting device to help the firefighters retrieve the gurney out of the water. If the boat had been equipped with this type of lifting device earlier this year, they would have been better prepared to assist in the airplane crash which occurred near The Resorts, by having the ability to raise up parts of the plane.
Significant donations for this project came from seven marinas around Eagle Mountain Lake. The three Suntex Marinas (Eagle Mountain Marina, Lake Country Marina, & Habor One Marina), The Fort Worth Boat Club, West Bay Marina, Lakeview Marina and Eagle Mountain RV Park’s marina located off Bud Cross Rd. The Starboard Foundation, which works closely with The Fort Worth Boat Club matched the contribution of Boat Club as well. Other notable contributors include Cooper Cross’ Sparky’s Fireworks, Cross Electric, Our Country Homes, Vaden Acoustics, Chisholm Trail Concrete, The Anchor Restaurant, Waste Advantage, TDH Manufacturing, A+Boat Lifts and Save Eagle Mountain Lake (SEML).
Additionally, Sam Sample, owner of Sam’s Mobile Marine service (817) 768-0943 located at Lakeview Marina, and Chip Collins, owner of Quality Marine & Fiberglass (817) 980-2947 located at West Bay Marina, donated their time/labor/expertise and the labor of their employees to make this project happen. It took dozens of man hours to retrofit and repair this old boat! Today, it is ready for service on beautiful Eagle Mountain Lake and will travel at around 42 knots with four Firefighters/Paramedics on Board!
The last step in completing the Marine 21 renovation is the lift system for the gurney. If you would like to donate to the Fire Department to help cover the last aspect of this renovation project, please visit the Eagle Mountain Fire Department & EMS website or mail/drop a check off at the Fire Station located at 9500 Live Oak Lane Ft Worth, Tx 76179. Additional donation locations are Lakeview Marina, or West Bay Marina. All checks should be made out to the Eagle Mountain Fire Department.
