| On Monday, June 1st, the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department officially placed Raft 2 into active service.
Raft 2 is a 2025 INMAR 380-SR 12'6" inflatable boat featuring rugged Hypalon-neoprene construction and a durable aluminum floor. It is powered by a 30-horsepower Tohatsu four-stroke outboard motor equipped with a specialized prop guard for personnel safety. Altogether, the vessel and motor weigh approximately 350 lbs. This critical addition to our fleet was funded entirely by the community’s generous support during the department's Annual Public Auction Fundraiser last summer.
In anticipation of the rollout, MVFD members have spent the last several months undergoing rigorous training and outfitting the craft with specialized gear.
The addition of Raft 2 significantly expands the MVFD’s water rescue capabilities, particularly in challenging swiftwater and floodwater environments. Because the lightweight craft can be hand-carried to a launch point when a traditional boat ramp is unavailable, personnel can now deploy in areas with extremely shallow water. Raft 2 will be towed by one of the department's utility vehicles, responding in tandem with our heavy rescue squad (Squad 2). This tactical setup ensures that crew members arrive on-scene already suited up in water rescue gear and ready for immediate deployment. |
Jul 12, 2026
