Firefighters in Falmouth will not just be carrying out rescues on land but also on the water thanks to a replacement fire boat that was officially named and blessed on Saturday.

It replaces the fire services’ former ageing boat, which was in service for 17 years.

The boat will not just be used in incidents on the water, however, but also allow crews to provide advice and safety information – in particular to the rising number of boat dwellers in the area.

The fire boat was officially named Skath an Tanlu, Cornish for ‘fireboat’ following a public vote on a shortlist of names suggested by members of the public.

One of the seven Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service chaplains, Rev Stewart Turner, priest-in-charge of Constantine Church, blessed the boat at a short service at Custom House Quay in attended by Falmouth firefighters and mayor Grenville Chappel.

Mark Hewitt, assistant chief fire officer, said with the arrival of the new boat, the aim was to visit people living on boats in the Fal River, Penryn River and neighbouring creeks that can be hard to access by land, to talk about fire awareness and safety onboard a boat.

He said: “Our job is not just responding to fires. It’s very much to provide a prevention tool as well.”

Crews will provide and fit smoke alarms for free to anyone who does not have them and will also speak about fire prevention and carbon monoxide awareness.

While primarily for use in the Falmouth and Penryn area, the boat can also be relocated where needed.

One of its next big roles will be at Falmouth Week during August, followed by Fowey Week were it will be relocated for use during that event.