A Marine Firefighter That’s Been Battling Flames from the Water Since 1964
Meet the William Lyon Mackenzie: Toronto’s main marine fireboat. Fighting fires, performing water rescues, and breaking winter ice to keep critical waterways open, this workhorse is an essential member of the crew.
5 Facts About This Hero in our Toronto Harbour
1. One of its first major calls was the July 1965 Orient Trader fire, battling the blaze for 24 hours, keeping the burning ship from hitting the downtown dock
2. The Mackenzie was built on a modified tug hull so it can both fight fires and break harbour ice to keep channels navigable in winter. That tug-style hull is a deliberate design choice for year-round service.
3. Fireboats with both built-in icebreaking and firefighting capabilities are uncommon on the 5 Great Lakes. Toronto’s Mackenzie is one of the few.
4. It went through a roughly $1M refurbishment including engines, aerial platform and systems in 2004, adding decades to its service life.
5. The Mackenzie’s combination of high-capacity water pumps and aerial platform lets it attack fires on large waterfront structures and taller vessels from the water. Crucial when docks or waterfront buildings are involved.
If you want to see where the William Lyon Mackenzie is docked, visit Toronto Fire Station 334 at 339 Queens Quay West in the Police Basin Slip.