Committee tables purchase of refurbished 29-foot Metal Shark boat for Norwalk fire department

Norwalk’s Public Safety and General Governments Committee on Feb. 27 voted unanimously to table a request authorizing the purchasing agent to issue a purchase order to a sole bidder for a refurbished 29-foot Metal Shark boat intended for the fire department.

The item sought authorization for Purchasing Agent Sharon Connors to issue a purchase order to Brown Helicopter Inc. of Pensacola, Florida, for a refurbished “Metal Shark 29” at a total not to exceed $240,000, funded by a federal port security grant (about $240,180) plus a $60,000 municipal match already allocated in the capital budget. Fire Chief Gatto said the boat is a 2012 Metal Shark with two 300-horsepower engines, electronics, and trailer; the department plans to add a fire pump and estimated total cost with shipping to Norwalk at $220,157.

Chief Gatto gave the grant background: the department applied in fiscal year 2021, was awarded funds, identified a vendor in Rhode Island that later failed to refurbish the vessel, and the city withdrew from that earlier contract without payment. He said FEMA granted an extension that keeps grant funds available through August of this year and that the Florida vendor estimated about 14 weeks to complete work and ship the boat.

Committee members pressed for independent verification of the vessel before purchase. Council member Jim Frayer said, “I think if we're buying a used boat with two 300-horsepower Mercury engines, I think that it would be prudent to have a survey done on the boat.” Chief Gatto and staff said department mechanics and a lieutenant with charter experience would inspect the vessel in Florida before final payment, and that the vendor offers limited warranties (90 days on motors and a five-year limited warranty on an inflatable collar). Several council members reiterated the need for a formal survey to assess hull integrity, capacity plate limitations and the transom modifications needed to accept the engines (the vendor plans to raise the transom to accept 30-inch shafts for the motors).

After discussion, the committee member who moved to table asked the chief to obtain additional technical information and to report back at the committee’s next meeting; the motion to table passed unanimously.

The committee did not authorize the purchase order at the Feb. 27 meeting; members said they would consider a survey/appraisal and other verification prior to any final authorization or payment.