Everything You Need to Know About Fireboats

Eve Church
07 May, 2026
07 Mins read

The water-based or offshore cousin to a fire engine or fire truck, the fireboat is a vessel that has onboard equipment, such as nozzles, hoses and pumps, that are used to fight and extinguish fires both on other ships, as well as along the coastline, on docks and in ports and warehouses.

Although firefighting is their main purpose, fireboats have a number of other duties and we will take a look at these a little later on. We’ll also explore the history of fireboats and find out what the typical features of these unsung heroes of the waves are.

Unlike merchant navy vessels such as cargo and container ships, bulk carriers or crane vessels, fireboats are not usually owned by a shipowner or shipping company. Instead they are municipal watercraft and they, and their crew, fall under the management of a city or area’s fire department.

A city which sits on a large body of water or which has a prominent port, will normally have its own fleet of fireboats.

Cities that are smaller in size and have a smaller fire department, or that sit on smaller bodies of water with minor ports, will either borrow boats from the military or Coast Guard or from EMS (Emergency Medical Services) or use their own inflatable boat which will have a rigid hull.

What are Fireboats and What Do They Do?

The big advantage of fireboats is that they have a virtually unlimited supply of water at their disposal. This water is pumped in from the sea, lake, river or other body of water directly into the hoses from below the boat’s hull.

a fireboat called the Rostock on a lake

This also makes the fireboat a good backup resource for the fire department in the event that there is a fire along the shoreline, or even within the city itself if the site can be reached by water.

The Main Types of Fireboats

Not all fireboats are the same and their size and capabilities depend on where they operate and the types of emergencies they rtypically espond to.

Harbor fireboats

Smaller vessels used in ports and marinas

Designed for quick response and maneuverability

Large offshore fireboats

Built for major incidents at sea

Equipped with high-capacity pumps and extended range

Multi-purpose vessels

Combine firefighting with rescue and pollution response

Common in busy commercial ports

High-speed response boats

Used for rapid intervention

Often first on the scene before larger units arrive

How Fireboats Fight Fires

There are a few different methods and approaches when it comes to fighting fire on a vessel or in a water-adjacent area or facility.

Water monitors (water cannons)

Deliver large volumes of water over long distances

Foam systems

Used for oil, fuel, and chemical fires

Help smother flames and prevent re-ignition

Strategic positioning

Fireboats can approach from angles inaccessible to land crews

Provide cooling to nearby structures or vessels

Coordination with shore teams

The crew works alongside land-based firefighters

They share information and support joint operations

Key Equipment on a Fireboat

Fireboats are equipped with specialized tools designed for both firefighting and rescue.

Essential Equipment

High-capacity pumps and fire monitors

Foam tanks and delivery systems

Thermal imaging cameras for detecting heat sources

Rescue boats for evacuations

Life-saving equipment such as life rings and stretchers

Advanced communication and navigation systems

Where Fireboats Are Most Common

It goes without saying that fireboats are typically found in areas with high maritime activity and risk.

Key Locations

Major commercial ports such as those found in Europe, Asia, and North America

Oil and gas terminals

Busy harbors and shipping lanes

Regions with heavy tanker traffic

Areas with offshore energy operations

Coastal cities with dense waterfront infrastructure

What is the History of the Fireboat?

Where do the origins of the fireboat lie? Needless to say the earliest boats had nowhere near the sheer power of today’s vessels, but they still carried out hugely important work.

The first fireboat to be recorded was designed in the late 18th Century, in 1765. The design featured a manually operated pump and the small craft was powered by oar - meaning its crew rowed it to the site of the emergency.

The boat was built for the Sun Fire Insurance Company, a company based in London, England. According to the Littlehampton Museum, which houses a plaque belonging to the company, Sun Fire Insurance:

“…employed a fire brigade and only dealt with fires insured by their company. Fire marks were fixed to each house with the company logo and reference, so that the fire brigade knew whether it was their responsibility to put the fire out. In the days before a municipal fire service was formed, this meant if you did not have a fire mark your house may be left to burn!”

a fireboat moored alongside a dock

But although the fireboat was now a concept, it wasn’t actually classified as a fireboat until later on in the 19th Century.

In fact, tugboats were used as ‘fireboats’ and were retrofitted with the equipment needed to fight fires. To this day you can still see fireboats that are built on a tugboat design, as well as others which look more like modern seagoing vessels.

But clearly the need for a faster, more powerful watercraft was needed. In the days when many houses and warehouses were built from wood, the time it took the crew to row to the fire could be the difference between life and death.

And as shipping and ship design evolved, the fireboat was not left behind with self-propelled steam driven fireboats being introduced in the mid 19th Century, notably in New York and Boston, in the United States who added these to their fire departments in the 1870’s.

Meanwhile, back in the United Kingdom, the Fire Queen made her debut at Bristol docks in 1884. She was fitted with a three-cylinder steam pump that fed water to two large hose reels. In 1900 she was upgraded and one of the reels was replaced by a water cannon.

a fireboat moored in Hong Kong

What Other Duties Do Fireboats Perform?

Unlike many vessels with a job to do - such as the feeder vessel which delivers shipping containers to larger vessels, the passenger ferry or the RoRo ship, which transports wheeled cargo as well as passengers, the fireboat is not constantly working at putting out fires. (Which is definitely a good thing!)

So that means fireboats have time to occupy themselves when they’re on standby. These are a few other duties that the fireboat may perform:

Some fireboats are used as icebreaker ships, helping to cut through icy waters to make them more navigable for other vessels.
Fireboats may transport firefighters as well as paramedics, doctors and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) to other vessels or sites of emergencies.
Fireboats are also sometimes used to transport surface water rescue technicians and divers to an emergency.
They may be used as a rescue boat to remove passengers or crew from a vessel that is in danger.
And because of their impressive ‘water feature’ capabilities, you may also see fireboats flamboyantly escorting or welcoming special guests to a port or harbor, such as a fleet of vessels, a boat belonging to someone important, or a historic ship.

a fireboat welcoming a tall ship

Quick Fireboat Facts

Fireboats are powered by diesel engines

They typically measure 125 feet (38 meters) in length

A fireboat’s pumping power is extensive with some newer vessels being able to pump tens of thousands of gallons / liters of water per minute

A modern fireboat’s jets can reach up to the dizzying heights of around 400 feet (122 meters)

Fireboat Crew and Roles

Fireboat crews are highly trained and often combine maritime and firefighting skills. A fireboat’s typical crew will include:

Captain - Responsible for navigation and overall command

Engineers - Maintain propulsion and pumping systems

Firefighters - Operate firefighting equipment and manage emergencies

Deck Crew - Assist with mooring, rescue operations, and equipment handling

Training and Skills

Firefighting certification

Maritime safety training

Emergency response coordination

Real-Life Fireboat Operations

Fireboats are regularly involved in high-risk incidents that require fast and effective action.

Common Scenarios

Shipboard fires in port or at anchor

Fires at oil terminals or fuel storage facilities

Waterfront building fires

Rescue operations during maritime accidents

Fireboats vs Land Fire Engines

Fireboats and traditional fire engines / trucks serve similar purposes but, it goes without saying, operate in very different environments.

	Fireboat	Fire Engine / Fire Truck
Operating area	Waterways and ports	Roads and urban areas
Water supply	Direct from surrounding water	Limited to onboard tanks or hydrants
Mobility	Access from the water	Access via roads
Reach	Can attack fires from offshore	Limited to land access points

Modern Technology and the Future of Fireboats

Just like other parts of the maritime industry, fireboats are evolving with new technology to improve efficiency and safety.

Emerging Trends

Remote-controlled fireboats - Used in high-risk environments

Hybrid and electric propulsion - Reduces emissions and fuel use

Advanced monitoring systems - Improve situational awareness during emergencies

Integration with port safety networks - Better coordination with other emergency services

FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Fireboats

What is the main purpose of a fireboat?

Fireboats are designed to fight fires on ships, docks, and waterfront areas, as well as assist in rescue operations.

How powerful are fireboat pumps?

Fireboat pumps can deliver thousands of gallons of water per minute, far more than most land-based fire engines.

Do fireboats only fight fires?

No. Many fireboats also assist with rescue missions, pollution control, and emergency response.

Are fireboat crews trained firefighters?

Yes. Crew members are usually trained in both firefighting and maritime operations.

Where are fireboats used most?

They are most common in busy ports, industrial waterfronts, and areas with high ship and tanker traffic.

Are fireboats environmentally friendly?

Newer fireboats are becoming more sustainable with hybrid and electric propulsion systems, although traditional models still rely on diesel engines.

Want to Find Out More About Other Types of Ships and Watercraft?

This blog post is one of a series of articles which each take a closer look at different types of ships and vessels. So if you’ve finished reading about the fireboat and you’d like to find out more about lightships, fishing boats, heavy lift vessels, supramax vessels and chemical tankers you’ve come to the right place.

Read the previous article in this series: Everything You Need to Know About Dredgers

Read the next article in this series: Everything You Need to Know About Gas Carrier Ships

This blog post was originally published on February 3rd 2022 and updated on May 7th 2026