By Jennifer Glickel
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
NEW YORK HARBOR — The FDNY unveiled a brand new, state-of-the-art fireboat on Wednesday that would make even James Bond proud.
The "Three Forty Three," named in honor of the 343 members of the FDNY who died during the 9/11 attacks, is the most technologically advanced fireboat in the world.
It was designed to detect chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents and protect firemen from them. The Three Forty Three contains a pressurized area that uses filters to purify the air that enters the boat, allowing crew members to work in contaminated environments if necessary.
"When we built this boat we had to think about the threats that could affect New York City and the region for the next 50 years, since that's the lifespan of the boat," said James Dalton, chief of marine operations for the FDNY.
The boat can pump 50,000 gallons of water per minute and can reach speeds of 18 nautical miles per hour.
"The name of the boat has great meaning to us," added Capt. Richard Johnson of Marine Co. 1, the fire company that will manage the boat.
Johnson explained that the letters spelling out the boat's name on its bow were made from steel from the World Trade Center.
The Three Forty Three will start active duty toward the end of July and will replace the 56-year-old fireboat, the "John D. McKean," currently used by the fire department.
