The fireboat is a ship equipped with firefighting apparatus designed to fight and extinguish fire on sea waters or on shore, when necessary. In the USA for example, the fireboat was invented when a firefighter attached a small hand pump on a boat in 1809. Not until after the Civil War was the boat an essential part of fire departments. In the 1860s the country had become a major contributor in international trade due to the industrial revolution. The ports and waterfronts became busier and busier, increasing fire risks.
Fireboat “J.H._Carlisle”
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The first fireboats, dating to the late 18th century, were tugboats, retrofitted with firefighting equipment. Older designs derived from tugboats and modern fireboats more closely resembling seafaring ships can both be found in service today. Some departments would give their multi-purpose craft the title of “fireboat” also.
They are frequently used for fighting fires on docks and shore side warehouses as they can 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. Fireboats can be used to assist shore-based firefighters when other water is in low supply or is unavailable.
A Fireboat Has Only a Limited Role
There is a common misconception that fireboats will respond to a marine fire and fight your shipboard fire for you. You, the yacht’s crew are the ones responsible and interested in fighting the fire on board. A fireboat should be considered a floating engine company that can only perform the tasks they are trained and equipped for. The fireboat’s crew (if they have a dedicated one) is often responsible just for the safe operation and navigation of the vessel. Sometimes an Engine Company or other unit may be detailed for the response, but unless they have specialized training, they are probably there for manpower and will have limited roles in direct firefighting operations. They actually help only with their fire pumps.
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