1969 Press Photo Mary Sandra is unofficially New Orleans Fire Department's boat

The trim, shiny-white, 22-foot speed hull seen cavorting off the Lake Pontchartrain shore here has "New Orleans Fire Department" lettered on her stern. In private life, she's the Mary Sandra. Her owner-skipper is Leonard E. Garretti, boating aficionado, and NOFD member for the past 21 years. Currently, he is an operator attached to Engine 14. Without pay and strictly on a volunteer basis, Garretti and a few of his firemen buddies are closing the gap of what he considers below-par fire protection on the lakefront. The situation is, reportedly, that the city has no funds to operate a full-fledged fireboat in the lake. Because of this, says Garretti, fire department officials are solidly behind his volunteer project.

Photo is dated 1969.

Photo measures 9.75 x 8 inches.