Offering a flat working surface low to the water it can be equipped with a variety of rescue or firefighting equipment and high wattage lighting for night operations.

Airboat custom modifications can provide extensive lighting powered by either the engine or an auxiliary generator. Other modifications include: fire pumps, deck guns, body hoists and enclosed cabins for cold weather use.

Having no operating parts below the waterline, the airboat is able to traverse the shallowest of water or no water at all. With no prop in the water, the airboat is not hampered by submerged or floating debris that would damage a conventional water propeller.

(Airboats are perfect diving platforms)

Airboats proved to be a valuable rescue and law enforcement tool in the search and rescue operations that followed Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississipi.

Airboats can be operated on virtually any surface and are much more robust than hovercafts.