Original Building of the Dusseldorf (FLB 2)
Name of the boat: Fireboat Düsseldorf
Designation: FLB 2 (FLB 2 is a traditional designation. The FLB 1 was in service from 1925 - 1973, the "new" FLB 2 was put into service on August 3, 1963 and retained the designation.) For firefighting, technical assistance and emergency rescue on the Rhine, priority is given to the fire-fighting boat station in the port with the "Fire-fighting boat 2" and a lifeboat (RTB 2, accommodation for a maximum of 5 people (with a crew of 2) as well as a stretcher or portable pump. )
Manufacturer: Rheinwerft Mainz-Mombach (Yard No. 169)
Year of construction 1962-1963, and commissioning: 1963
Dimensions: Length: 29,27m Width: 6,3m Draft: 1,3m Weight: ? Engines: MAN diesel engines (2) ENI number: 04402440 MMSI: 211524640 Call sign: DA5276
Designation: FLB 2 (FLB 2 is a traditional designation. The FLB 1 was in service from 1925 - 1973, the "new" FLB 2 was put into service on August 3, 1963 and retained the designation.) For firefighting, technical assistance and emergency rescue on the Rhine, priority is given to the fire-fighting boat station in the port with the "Fire-fighting boat 2" and a lifeboat (RTB 2, accommodation for a maximum of 5 people (with a crew of 2) as well as a stretcher or portable pump. )
Manufacturer: Rheinwerft Mainz-Mombach (Yard No. 169)
Year of construction 1962-1963, and commissioning: 1963
Dimensions: Length: 29,27m Width: 6,3m Draft: 1,3m Weight: ? Engines: MAN diesel engines (2) ENI number: 04402440 MMSI: 211524640 Call sign: DA5276
Notice the difference between the model (top) and the real boat (bottom in the above photo. The freeboard (distance the main deck is above the water) is much higher on the model. giving it a toy like look.
Major Re-building (1979) of the Dusseldorf FLB 2)
The Dusseldorf had its 63rd birthday in 2026. This proved that ships have a much longer service life than most land vehicles. Boats with a stable hull can be converted, expanded and modernized in many different ways. In 1979 the ship grew by exactly 4.59 meters.
This extension also increased the displacement (weight) of the boat so that the draft reduced to 1.28 after the extension. The hull lengthening from 1979 was carried out in the Ruhrort shipyard . Also, new devices were newly or modernized.
This extension also increased the displacement (weight) of the boat so that the draft reduced to 1.28 after the extension. The hull lengthening from 1979 was carried out in the Ruhrort shipyard . Also, new devices were newly or modernized.
1980 Status (photo)
About 1980 the Dusseldorf is shown in the photo, right. We can't tell you what changed between 1980 and the current version as the photos are not high enough in quality to examine properly. Obvious is the new paint scheme where the white band along the structure is now much wider encompassing the windows. There appears to be more electronics (antennas, etc.) on the top of the structure in the newer photos which would make sense. Also apparent is the fire nozzles (monitors) look like the old type, manually operated which were later replaced with remote control nozzles.
About 1980 the Dusseldorf is shown in the photo, right. We can't tell you what changed between 1980 and the current version as the photos are not high enough in quality to examine properly. Obvious is the new paint scheme where the white band along the structure is now much wider encompassing the windows. There appears to be more electronics (antennas, etc.) on the top of the structure in the newer photos which would make sense. Also apparent is the fire nozzles (monitors) look like the old type, manually operated which were later replaced with remote control nozzles.
Other Boats Of the Same Design
Two other fire boats of the same design as the Dusseldorf were built. These were the FLB Köln (Florian Cologne) and FLB Duisburg. The information follows:
Köln (Ex-Name: Hydra) Call sign: FDC2516 Location: Cologne Builder: Mainz-Mombach - Rhine shipyard Year Built: 1962
Notes: The boat is regularly modernized. In 1981 it was extended by more than 5m. In 1998 a new fixed pipe system. In the 90s new engines, two MAN ship diesels with 1000 HP replaced the old Hentschel engines. 1995-1996, loading crane & dory.
Köln (Ex-Name: Hydra) Call sign: FDC2516 Location: Cologne Builder: Mainz-Mombach - Rhine shipyard Year Built: 1962
Notes: The boat is regularly modernized. In 1981 it was extended by more than 5m. In 1998 a new fixed pipe system. In the 90s new engines, two MAN ship diesels with 1000 HP replaced the old Hentschel engines. 1995-1996, loading crane & dory.
Operating area: Rhine River from Oberwinter 639km to Duisburg-Orsoy 795km.
Duisburg (photo below)
Location (formerly): Duisberg Builder: Mainz-Mombach - Rhine shipyard Year Built: 1973
It is equipped with three water monitors, each delivering 5,000 liters of water per minute with a range of up to 90 meters.The foam system (26 foam nozzles) can create a foam blanket approximately 50 centimeters deep, covering an area of about 1 square kilometer, while underway.
For operation in fog and darkness, the boat is equipped with modern radar.
The wheelhouse is mounted on a lift platform, which can raise it to a height of 8.5 meters.
The foredeck houses the ship's crane, which can be used to position the oil recovery unit stored in the cargo hold, as well as other equipment, at the scene of an incident. The crane boom is 20 meters long and has a lifting capacity of 14 tons.
It is equipped with three water monitors, each delivering 5,000 liters of water per minute with a range of up to 90 meters.The foam system (26 foam nozzles) can create a foam blanket approximately 50 centimeters deep, covering an area of about 1 square kilometer, while underway.
For operation in fog and darkness, the boat is equipped with modern radar.
The wheelhouse is mounted on a lift platform, which can raise it to a height of 8.5 meters.
The foredeck houses the ship's crane, which can be used to position the oil recovery unit stored in the cargo hold, as well as other equipment, at the scene of an incident. The crane boom is 20 meters long and has a lifting capacity of 14 tons.
Location and Operations of the Dusseldorf
The Fire Station
The original fireboat station was located at the top of Speditionstrasse from 1970 to 2003. At that time, all construction measures were carried out by the fireboat colleagues themselves. The station was heated by an oil heater, which was located in the kitchen.
During the Advent flood in December 1996, the building was about 20 centimeters under water. After that, all the floors, including the insulation, had to be replaced. Due to planned construction projects at the top of Speditionstraße (today's Hyatt), a new location had to be found for the fireboat.
One of the selection criteria for this new fire station (photo, right) was the shortest possible travel time to the port exit. A freight forwarding building on the west bank (Bremer Straße) met the requirements. It was rebuilt and expanded in its base area within the adjoining warehouse. The scheduled relocation of the station took place on February 13, 2003. Berth: 40221 Düsseldorf, Bremer Str. 68 (on the right bank of the Rhine, near the port exit) approx.
Note "FLB" on map (above right photo) is the location of the fire station for the boats.
Five separate functions are available for both boats around the clock (the special qualification requirements, especially fireboat patent and radar patent, require this). For most situations, both boats move out at the same time. The manovrable and fast multi-purpose or rescue boat (max. 60 km/h) offers an important time advantage, since the large fire-fighting boat (max. approx. 45 km/h) can reach the southern city limits (upstream, "to mountain ") takes about 90 minutes.ern fire-fighting group. They are alerted in parallel to the BF; if necessary also all units together via lifeboats. Depending on the location of the scene, they will also be alerted.
Area of application: Rhine and Düsseldorf harbor.
The alarm is sent via the Düsseldorf control center.
The responsibility for the rescue service, firefighting and technical assistance on the Rhine extends primarily to the city area with 46 river kilometers. The area of application does not end at the city limits, but extends from the state border to Rhineland-Palatinate in the south to the Dutch border in the north, over a total distance of 226 kilometers.
The original fireboat station was located at the top of Speditionstrasse from 1970 to 2003. At that time, all construction measures were carried out by the fireboat colleagues themselves. The station was heated by an oil heater, which was located in the kitchen.
During the Advent flood in December 1996, the building was about 20 centimeters under water. After that, all the floors, including the insulation, had to be replaced. Due to planned construction projects at the top of Speditionstraße (today's Hyatt), a new location had to be found for the fireboat.
One of the selection criteria for this new fire station (photo, right) was the shortest possible travel time to the port exit. A freight forwarding building on the west bank (Bremer Straße) met the requirements. It was rebuilt and expanded in its base area within the adjoining warehouse. The scheduled relocation of the station took place on February 13, 2003. Berth: 40221 Düsseldorf, Bremer Str. 68 (on the right bank of the Rhine, near the port exit) approx.
Note "FLB" on map (above right photo) is the location of the fire station for the boats.
Five separate functions are available for both boats around the clock (the special qualification requirements, especially fireboat patent and radar patent, require this). For most situations, both boats move out at the same time. The manovrable and fast multi-purpose or rescue boat (max. 60 km/h) offers an important time advantage, since the large fire-fighting boat (max. approx. 45 km/h) can reach the southern city limits (upstream, "to mountain ") takes about 90 minutes.ern fire-fighting group. They are alerted in parallel to the BF; if necessary also all units together via lifeboats. Depending on the location of the scene, they will also be alerted.
Area of application: Rhine and Düsseldorf harbor.
The alarm is sent via the Düsseldorf control center.
The responsibility for the rescue service, firefighting and technical assistance on the Rhine extends primarily to the city area with 46 river kilometers. The area of application does not end at the city limits, but extends from the state border to Rhineland-Palatinate in the south to the Dutch border in the north, over a total distance of 226 kilometers.
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