A new vessel designed to bring emergency room-level care to the waters off Destin made a demonstration Friday morning at the Destin Fire Control District’s Harbor Station.
- Marine 19, a 52-foot coastal fast response boat operated by the Destin Fire Control District, is the largest fire rescue vessel of its kind in the state. HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital joined the fire district for the unveiling, highlighting the partnership between the hospital’s trauma team and local first responders.
The boat is designed to function as a floating emergency room. Trauma teams and paramedics aboard Marine 19 can begin stabilizing patients with complex maritime injuries — such as diving accidents near Crab Island or offshore medical emergencies — before ever reaching shore.
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is the tri-county area’s only trauma center, treating a wide range of high-acuity injuries. Marine 19 significantly extends the reach of that trauma capability onto the water, where response times and early stabilization can determine outcomes.
The unveiling included a technical tour and on-the-water demonstration near Crab Island. Dr. Cathy Ho, a trauma surgeon at the hospital, and Destin Fire Control District Capt. Doug Kocour were on hand to discuss the vessel’s role.
The timing of the rollout is deliberate.
Spring break and the summer tourism season bring a surge of visitors to local waterways, and with them, a rise in water-related emergencies. Marine 19 is built to respond in rough conditions, with the range and speed to reach patients in situations where traditional rescue boats may fall short.
