A $7,000 investment for the Langley Small Boat Harbor could save millions, according to Harbormaster Ben Reams.

At a Langley City Council meeting Aug. 6, Reams recommended the city of Langley purchase new fire suppression equipment for the harbor.

“It’s going to save millions of dollars in the marina,” said Reams.

He said a fire in the harbor could spread quickly with the amount of fiberglass and gasoline parked in the harbor on a given day.

The equipment he requested, called the Marina Fast Attack, is made by the Maine-based company Gene Spinazola and Associates, and comes equipped with a 50-foot, one and-a-half-inch hose. Reams said the small piece of equipment comes mounted on two cart wheels and contains a five-minute supply of Class B foam — the same type that Fire District 3 uses to extinguish fires.

At the meeting, Reams said the Marina Fast Attack could be easily rolled into place by one person. A suction hose placed in the water provides the necessary water to create the foam.

City Clerk Debbie Mahler said she completed research on the equipment, and felt there was no equipment on the market comparable to the Marina Fast Attack.

Mahler said she had also consulted with FD3 Chief Don Smith to ensure the equipment is appropriate for the harbor. Smith’s only question was whether the system will be compatible with salt water. Mahler said after thorough research, she found the Marina Fast Attack is appropriate for salt water.

Council member Ray Honerlah questioned why such an investment is necessary when the Langley Fire Department is in such close proximity.

Reams told Honerlah the volunteer-manned station would simply respond too late to a quick-spreading harbor fire.

“Response time from Langley is slow,” Reams said.

He said the extinguisher has the capability to control a fire until the fire department arrives.

The Langley City Council voted unanimously to purchase the fire equipment unit for $6,950, plus $400 for shipping and handling.

On Tuesday Mahler said the city hadn’t ordered the equipment yet, but planned on placing the order by next week.

After it is ordered it will take from eight to 10 weeks to be delivered to Langley, she said.