Challenger (XI)

George Schneider stated "One last smaller vessel we spotted was the former Long Beach CA fireboat CHALLENGER. She'd been replaced and sold, and I saw her at Terminal Island, stripped of some gear and painted white, in 2016. This vessel looks about the same now, and is presently at the docks of the R.E. Staite Construction Co. This vessel was one of two built in the 1980s at Moss Point Marine. She's never been documented, and at one point I photo'd her with a state license number in her window, CF3334TZ." George Schneider (Email to Nauticapedia 18/02/2023) stated "Anchored outside San Diego Harbor is the former Long Beach Fireboat CHALLENGER (CF3334TZ). In past decades a couple boats have sunk from neglect here, but for a long time only active vessels have been there. Last year the foreign-built trawler MORNING STAR (1137335) (previously shared) was moved out there and has been looked progressively more neglected ever since. CHALLENGER had previously been nested at the R E Staite pier during 2022, but this move probably means the owners are out of money, and could easily be the end for her. This vessel was built by Moss Point Marine (Hull #86) in 1986, and until being sold in 2016, had no license or document number I know of. I've shared her before, but didn't have a license number for her until now."