This would be a great question to put to your Regional Operations Committee and the State Equipment Committee and alike.
In theory your CABA set would have a neutral buoyancy - the FRP cylinder (full) would override the weight of the set, plus sabre rate their set to several meters of immersion (although I'm not sure I would want to try it
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If wearing full PPE (confirmed fire) I think anyone would struggle to stay afloat in BPI and boots - it would be a nighmare and quickly pull you under.
I am aware of situations on the river (both in SA and interstate) where due to safety crews have only fought the fire up wind when in boats (hence no CABA, but in PFD's)- not sure but NSWRFS use boats, maybe their people have SOP's. Also SES use boast (not for fire fighting although there is no reason we couldn't use them) and I know following several incidents they have strict policy on what needs to be worn in boats and sops on boat operations.
Interesting really, CFS cover many major ports in SA and also the who of the Murray and lakes - makes you wonder why this hasn't come up before ........... or maybe it has been raised by several regions and it's been put in the too hard basket by people who need to see ship/boat fire fighting as a reality:roll:.