South Whidbey Fire/EMS should have its one-year-old fireboat back in action later this month, officials say.

Fire Chief Rusty Palmer reported at the district’s monthly meeting that the vessel is expected back in service by Oct. 22. The vessel has been sidelined since June 25, when its starboard engine failed during a regular training exercise.

The engine cost $40,000 and the district’s insurance company Enduris covered $39,000.

The district also narrowed down its search to replace Deputy Chief Paul Busch, who will retire at the end of the calendar year, to five candidates.

The candidates will be assessed on Oct. 24.

The applicants include Division Chief Wendy Moffat, two applicants from Arizona, one from California, and another from Florida. Palmer said they hope to make an offer soon after the testing date so a deputy chief will be in place on Jan. 1.