On Tuesday, Oswego’s historic LT-5 tug was pressed into service as a platform for shipboard firefighting exercises, thanks to a collaboration among the Port of Oswego Authority, U.S. Coast Guard- Oswego, (USCG), the H. Lee White Maritime Museum, and the City of Oswego Fire Department. Here, City of Oswego firefighters and members of the Novelis Aluminum fire brigade, are briefed by USCG Chief Warrant Officer Brandon Provo, from Buffalo, and Jessie Garrant, USCG Senior Marine Investigator. From left of tablet: Garrant, Brian Roche, Port Security/Port Recovery Specialist, USCG Sector Eastern Great Lakes; and Provo.
OSWEGO, NY – On Tuesday, Oswego’s historic LT-5 tug was pressed into service as a platform for shipboard firefighting exercises, thanks to a collaboration among the Port of Oswego Authority, U.S. Coast Guard- Oswego, (USCG), the H. Lee White Maritime Museum, and the City of Oswego Fire Department.
“We appreciate the opportunity to work with local partners such as the United States Coast Guard and the Port of Oswego Authority to enhance the capabilities of the Oswego Fire Department, “ said Oswego Fire Chief Paul Conzone. “This shipboard firefighting training will support firefighter safety, efficiency, and result in improved operational readiness for water-based incidents in our area. Being able to mitigate emergencies of all types is at the core of our mission. With a deep-water port here in the City of Oswego, it is crucial that we better prepare our firefighters for emergencies aboard large ships. Being able to train on a real ship in the water is something that most fire departments are not able to do. We truly appreciate the opportunity to train aboard the LT-5 and the support we’ve received from both the Port and H. Lee White Maritime Museum.”
“You’ve got to fight a shipboard fire and be successful, or else the next place you’ll be is in a life raft,” said Brian Roche, Port Security/Port Recovery Specialist, USCG Sector Eastern Great Lakes. “We’ve established a great working relationship with the City of Oswego, Oswego Fire Department and the Port. This led to our working together to marshal the resources for this specialized training.” Training was provided by USCG Chief Warrant Officer Brandon Provo, from Buffalo, and Jessie Garrant, USCG Senior Marine Investigator. Both have extensive experience in shipboard hazards and firefighting training.
Oswego firefighters were joined by members of the fire brigade from Oswego’s Novelis Aluminum manufacturing facility at three instruction stations, Roche said. The first was located at the USCG station where crews were familiarized with boats and equipment. The Oswego station has three types of boats. Two additional instruction stations were set up at the LT-5. “This is where firefighters get a walk-through of the tug to see first-hand the tight quarters, narrow passageways and other inherent challenges of fighting a fire aboard a ship. Ultimately, we gave crews the chance to simulate fighting a fire on the tug while wearing full gear and toting hoses. The goal is to prepare crews to respond effectively to fires by understanding vessel stability, utilizing proper equipment, maintaining communication, and coordinating as a team to prevent potential disasters.”
According to Master Chief Provo, there are many different challenges and hazards that firefighters need to be aware of aboard ship. “For example, on the LT-5 there are six-sided compartments, so when the area is filled with smoke and heat, it’s easy to get disoriented. In addition, it’s easier to trip, or snag your gear in narrow passages and tight quarters. On a steel-hulled vessel, heat from a fire can spread a fire to other compartments, and decks can warp or buckle.
“You’ve even got to be careful walking once you board a ship that’s got a fire: stay low to the deck, but don’t touch your knees. The heat can burn through your gear and burn you. Stomp your foot as you progress to be sure you have a solid platform and don’t fall through.”
Provo also pointed out that when water is pumped on a ship to fight a fire, it’s critical that the fire team keep track of where it’s being applied, so that it doesn’t add uneven ballast that could potentially roll the ship.
Provo cited the recent fires aboard the M/V Cuyahoga, a historic 82-year-old Canadian self-unloading bulk carrier that was recently scrapped after being damaged by two fires. She experienced an engine room fire on Lake Erie in May 2023 and then a more severe blaze during winter layup in March 2024 that led to her being scrapped.
According to the H. Lee White Maritime Museum’s website (www.hlwmm.org), the LT-5 “serves as a dock-side attraction, a remnant of the greatest generation, and a site worthy of preservation. Eighty years ago, the 114’ ocean going tugboat played a crucial role in what General Dwight Eisenhower termed the “Great Crusade” – the allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, colloquially known as D-Day.
“After remaining in service throughout the war in Europe, LT-5 returned to the United States and was decommissioned by the U.S. Army. Shortly thereafter, LT-5 was assigned to the Buffalo, NY District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in May 1946 and recommissioned as John F. Nash. LT-5 served from 1946-89 in the lower Great Lakes region assisting in the maintenance of harbors and worked on significant construction projects including the St. Lawrence Seaway in the 1950s and several harbor improvement projects in Oswego. When deemed excess by the USACE in 1989, the Port of Oswego Authority eagerly acquired the National Historic Landmark that is now maintained by the H. Lee White Maritime Museum.”
Recently, the remaining fuel was pumped out of the tug, and the museum has plans to eventually display it mounted in a cradle next to the museum on the West Pier.
The Port of Oswego’s strategic location at the crossroads of the Northeastern North American shipping market, puts them less than 350 miles from 60 million people.
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