Christopher Wheatley

[1][2][3] When she was delivered in April 2011, she was the first new fireboat to serve the city in sixty years.

The vessel was built in Wheatley, Ontario, and was named after a young Chicago firefighter who had died in the line of duty in August 2010.

[4][5][6][7] The vessel was designed specifically to function in an environment like Chicago, where she would be required to navigate shallow rivers, and pass under low bridges.

A water cannon on her aft deck is on an extensible mast that can be raised to a height of 30 feet, if required, but can be lowered to pass under low bridges.

[9][8] While she is capable of breaking ice usually the city-owned tugboat James J. Versluis performs this duty.