A new patrol boat will bring firefighting capabilities and thermal imaging to Wareham's shores within the next couple of weeks.

The boat, a 27-foot Boston Whaler, comes equipped with a pump that will move sea water through the bottom of the boat to assist in extinguishing fires, Harbormaster Michael Parola said at the Tuesday, May 18 Board of Selectmen meeting.

The town currently does not have any boats with firefighting capabilities. Parola said he is working with the Onset Fire Department for possible cross-training opportunities.

The boat also has thermal imaging capabilities, which will help in searching for persons in the water when visibility is low.

The Federal Emergency Management agency provided a $168,750 grant to help the town purchase the new boat. The grant which covered 75 percent of the cost.