BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — For more than a century, the Edward M. Cotter Fireboat has been protecting the waters of Buffalo. Since 1900, the Cotter has been a fixture on the waterfront, becoming an iconic symbol of the city. This year marks 125 years of service, and the celebration holds special significance for the captains who have been at the helm.
"I would argue that we're the most photographed thing in the City of Buffalo by far," said Mike Kick, current Edward M. Cotter captain. "I think we've got Shark Girl trumped by a lot."
Behind the famous vessel are the faces of the captains who have commanded this historic fireboat. For them, the captain's seat means everything.
"It's a love of my life," said Thomas Schultz, former captain.
"I enjoyed my time on here. I was thankful for it," said Greg Wisniewski, former captain.
WATCH: Captains of Buffalo's Edward M. Cotter fireboat on the boat's 125th anniversary
Four captains, one legacy
Greg Wisniewski, Thomas Schultz, John Sixt and Mike Kick all spent years captaining the Cotter, each contributing to its storied history.
"This is the waterfront as far as I'm concerned," Sixt said.
While the boat makes for great photographs, the Cotter is all business. During winter months, it breaks up ice along the Buffalo River, preventing flooding in South Buffalo and Cheektowaga.
"We save millions and millions of dollars in property damage every year by keeping the Buffalo River open," Kick said. "We get 2, 3 feet of ice the boat can break."
Though the boat is designed for ice-breaking, it's not an easy job.
"It's the ice that dictates how much time it takes, where you go, what you're doing," Sixt said. "When you pull out and get plowed through the ice and knocked around, it's a unique experience."
More than ice-breaking
The Cotter also responds to boat fires and fires on land. Schultz remembers using the boat's massive pumping power on one fire that land crews couldn't reach.
"Maybe a five-acre fire out that was on the land, and they couldn't get to it at all, and we put it out in maybe 20 minutes," Schultz said.
As the boat marks 125 years in service, these captains hope the tradition and hard work done by the boat and its crew continues.
"It's a piece of history, and it should be kept going," Wisniewski said.
"With any luck, maybe she'll make another 25, 50 years. Maybe she'll make 200," Sixt said. "We won't be around to see it, but that would be something else."
Cotterfest this weekend
This weekend is Cotterfest, a celebration of the boat and a way to raise money for its future. It takes place on September 20th at Riverfest Park. For more information, you can check the website.
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