Search and Rescue

• Airboats used for search and rescue operations are made to operate smoothly in flooded areas. They also must have capacity to hold victims of disaster, usually up to 12 people. Maneuverability is important in this type of airboat because the operator must often avoid submerged or floating debris. They are also dependable in whitewater or faster flowing waters, which are sometimes found in flood zones. Because airboats can be launched from almost anywhere, and they can also be operated without water, they are ideal for rescue work.
  
  

Law Enforcement

• Many law enforcement agencies that patrol swamps and other areas where there is a lot of water use airboats. The type of airboat used for law enforcement does not require a high passenger capacity. These types of boats require speed and stealth. They outmaneuver other kinds of watercraft because of their flat hulls and all-terrain capabilities that allow them to operate in wetland, river, ice and coastal environments.
  
  

Fishing

• The type of airboat that is ideal for fishing often has a seat for the driver and a couple fishing buddies, but not the passenger capacity needed for search and rescue. They are smaller and more agile in low water to accommodate shallow fishing holes. They are also smaller because some fishermen want to be able to get into areas where fish feed, which often have thick foliage. Airboats used for fishing do not need the speed of law enforcement airboats.
  
  

Conservationism

• Airboats are often used to patrol or research environmentally sensitive parks and wetlands. They don’t need much passenger capacity or speed, but they may need the agility of a fishing airboat depending on the environment. These types of boats are some of the smallest airboats because they're meant to minimize human impact on the environment. The functions of these types of boats sometimes vary to suit the needs of the agency using them. For example, anti-poaching efforts may require more speed.