Edward M. Cotter (fireboat)

The Edward M. Cotter is a fireboat operated in Buffalo, New York. She has been in operation for over 100 years, and is the world's oldest still operational fireboat.

In 1962 there was a devastating fire in grain elevators in Port Colborne, Ontario, at the southern end of the Welland Canal. Local fire departments were unable to bring the blaze under control. Buffalo agreed to loan the assistance of the Edward M. Cotter. This is believed to be the first instance when a fireboat crossed an international border to assist in fighting a fire in another nation. Because the Edward M. Cotter was only designed to function in Buffalo, in waters its crew were intimately familiar with, she was not equipped depth sounding equipment, and other navigational aids, so she had to be escorted to the Welland Canal by another vessel.

The Edward M. Cotter suppressed the fire in Port Colborne in a few hours.

Buffalo also depends on the vessel to break ice in the harbor, during winter.