Cornelius’s new fire boat got its first call-to-action Friday afternoon, Oct. 15, when a catamaran capsized on Lake Norman.

Fire Chief Jim Barbee said the boat’s first run was a good one.

“The guys who were trained to get out there were working that day, and they got out in a timely manner and did all the right things,” Barbee said.

He said once the boat was at the site, it took a little while to get the catamaran turned upright, but the men were successful and no one was injured.

“I thought it was pretty cool and shows good use of our investment,” said Larry McCrary, a Cornelius resident who witnessed the fire boat in action.

The fire boat launched recently, and Barbee said the boat is ready to help on the water.

“If there’s any kind of water emergency – two boats run together or a Jet Ski wreck – if it’s on the water we’ll be more than happy to come out.  The other place it’s going to be used, is if there’s a house fire along the lake front we can take the boat to that and either fight fire from the boat or put a supply line to the trucks on land and use it as a water source.”

Capt. Greg Shaner said there will be a christening for the boat in mid-November.