PORT TOWNSEND — The Fire Department will have its own rescue boat by October, thanks to a generous donation from a city resident.
Richard Camfield of Port Townsend offered to purchase a 21-foot aluminum boat for the department when he learned about the pressing need for such a craft.
Earlier this year, the Fire Department had to borrow a boat to save two kayakers whose boat capsized off Marrowstone Island.
“By the time we got the message and commandeered a private boat, one person had been in the water for an hour,” Fire Chief Ed Edwards said. “It could’ve been a real tragedy.”
Edwards said Camfield has no interest in publicizing his gift.
But the fire chief said the boat will fill a gap in emergency services that has existed for several years.
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