Dive Team
Established in 1986, the C-O-MM Fire Department Underwater Search team is the oldest continually operating public safety dive unit in Barnstable County. Currently, the Team is comprised of 17 department members including 10 divers and 7 support tenders. The Team trains twelve months per year in all types of weather conditions, including sub-ice, in various water bodies within the district and surrounding region.
The Team utilizes fully encapsulated diving systems including full facemasks and dry suits, to protect from cold exposure and hazardous materials such as body fluids and fuel. The majority of diving evolutions are in low to no visibility due to the mud and silt conditions found in most lakes, ponds, bays and rivers. Tenders direct diving search patterns through wireless communication systems, as well as a tether-based communications language using line pull signals.
The unit is activated for all reports of missing swimmers, persons through the ice, and boating accidents with reports of persons in the water. It has made many victim recoveries from drownings due to swimming and boating casualties, jumping accidents, and sunken vessel entrapment. The team also works closely with the Town of Barnstable Harbormaster’s Office, and Barnstable Police Department.
Marine Units
The department operates four vessels covering the adjacent waters of Nantucket Sound as well as the district’s bays, rivers, estuaries, lakes and ponds.
Marine 1 – 2006 SafeBoats Defender Class. This vessel began as a U.S. Coast Guard fast response boat stationed at Coast Guard Station Provincetown. After being declared surplus, it was obtained by C-O-MM in cooperation with the MA Division of Forests and Parks Bureau of Fire Control and the United States Forest Service, Federal Excess Property Program. The engines and electronics package were updated in 2019, and new foam collars, and a fire pump were installed in 2025.
Specs:
- Length: 25’ (hull), 29.6’ (to taffrail)
- Beam: 8’6”
- Draft: 39” (engines vertical), 27” (engines up)
- Power: Twin Yamaha 250 hp 4.2L (2019)
- Radar: Raymarine Quantum 2, 18” with Doppler
- Electronics Suite: Raymarine Axiom Pro RVX (2019) with Lighthouse 3 software package, AR200 Aug.Reality Sensor,
- Flir: M332 camera
- VHF (2): Standard Horizon GX1850B
- Loud Hailer: Standard Horizon VLH-3000A, 30w
- AIS: AIS 700, Class B
- Fuel: 105 gal
- Max HP: 500
- Capacity: 10 persons or 5,026 lbs
- Seats: Shox 2000, shock mitigating seats
- Heat: Webasto Top Air 3500 diesel heater
- Firefighting: Tohatsu VC72AS fire pump
Boat 1 – 2016 Achilles soft bottom inflatable located at Headquarters Station
Specs:
- Length: 14’
- Power: Yamaha 30hp
Boat 2 – 1970 Boston Whaler, located at Station 2
Specs:
- Length: 13’
- Power: Yamaha 30hp
Boat 3 – 1977 Boston Whaler, located at Station 3
Specs:
- Length: 13’
- Power: Yamaha 30hp