(LaPorte, IN) - A request is being made to purchase a new water rescue boat.

The fire department in LaPorte wants to buy a new much faster one with

more capabilities than the existing boat.

Fire Chief Andy Snyder told the city council last night the boat would be docked

at Pine Lake during the warm weather months allowing for one minute response times

from the nearby fire station on East Shore Parkway.

He says the current boat has to be hooked to a fire engine and transported to the water,

a process taking 10 minutes or longer.

He says the new boat would also have additional capabilities like the ability to fight a house

along the lakes.

The cost would be about $100,000.

Approval rests with the city’s board of public works and safety expected to decide the request

March 17.