The Pensacola Fire Department fireboat is a specialized watercraft with pumps and nozzles designed for fighting shoreline and shipboard fires. It is frequently used for fighting fires on docks and shore side warehouses and water front beach homes. Firefighter Helmsman directly attack fires in the supporting underpinnings of these structures. They also have an effectively unlimited supply of water available, pumping directly from below the hull. the fireboat can be used to assist shore-based firefighters when other water is in low supply or is unavailable, for example, due to a hurricane breaking a water main. Fireboats are most usually seen by the public when welcoming a fleet or historical ships with a display of their water moving capabilities, throwing large arcs of water in every direction.
Occasionally the fireboat could be used to carry firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, and a physician with their equipment to islands and other boats. They may also carry divers or surface water rescue workers. Passengers from ships in danger can be also transferred to various kind of rescue boats. Plus, for any oil and chemical destruction in the Gulf of Mexico.