Clean Rivers Cooperative Fast Response Vessel (FRV) Independence is back in the water and response ready. The vessel went through a repowering project that was completed at the end of November after being out for repair for nearly two years. Originally powered with an inboard 5.9 Cummins with a Hamilton 291 jet drive, the Independence now runs off of two Hoda 225hp outboard motors. The 32 foot vessel was built in 1993 and became part of the Cooperative response vessel fleet in August 2001.
The decision to move from the inboard Cummins and Hamilton jet drive to an outdrive system was not part of the original repair plan. After finding additional extensive repair needs for the Hamilton 291 jet drive, Cooperative staff initially set out to replace the jet drive but found there were no matching models available. Converting the Cummins to fit a Hamilton 292 would be expensive and increase ongoing maintenance costs. Outboard motors became the logical alternative. Besides being faster (improving from 9 knots to a top speed of 40 knots), more fuel efficient, more maneuverable, and more convenient to perform maintenance, it now matches all other Clean Rivers vessels which are powered by outboard motors. One of the reasons the Cooperative utilizes outboard motors is to aid in keeping the vessels response ready. In the event where a replacement engine is required, it will only take a few hours to swap out with an outboard motor, where an inboard system could take several days to replace.
With counsel and recommendations from Clean Rivers Cooperative and The Maritime Fire and Safety Association Joint Equipment Committee, Cooperative Staff brought a proposal to the Cooperative Board of Directors to repower the Independence with the Honda outboards, which was ultimately approved as part of the Cooperative’s 2023 Capital Expenditure program.
On November 29, 2023, Clean Rivers Cooperative Board President Jeff Hibner, Vice President Doug Lenz and Joint Equipment Committee Chair Todd Burke joined Cooperative Staff and Merchants Exchange Executive Director Curtis Cannizzaro on a tour of the newly repowered Independence soon after it was returned to the water in the Multnomah Channel. The vessel will be utilized in upcoming contractor training in order to break in the motors and refresh responders on the operation of the vessel.
