A remote-controlled, fire-fighting speedboat is the latest high-tech addition to Dubai Civil Defence’s fleet of life-saving technology. Named ‘The Shark,’ the bright yellow 10-metre speedboat can be remotely controlled from a ground station, using an online map, to quickly reach a vessel on fire and keeps firefighters from potential harm.

Equipped with thermal imaging and night vision cameras, the boat also automatically records any information it picks up about the fire for use in investigations.

Cameras affixed to the boat provide the officer in the control room a direct and live broadcast of the situation.

The boat’s fire extinguishing system shoots out 1900 litres of water per minute. The amount of water, pressure and its direction are all adjustable from the control room.

With a maximum speed of 74kph, the Shark is expected to reduce response times to fires at sea.

It is not the first fire-fighting vessel to be unveiled by Civil Defence. In 2017, ‘The Dolphin’ – a jet ski equipped with a jetpack attachment – was revealed in a promotional video.