Hovercraft maiden visit to Mangalore to strengthen coastal security

Hovercraft maiden visit to Mangalore to strengthen coastal security

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Feb 13, 2014: The Indian Coast Guard ship H-194 will be at Panambur beach in Mangalore from February 14 to 19. This is the third series of Air Cushion Vehicle (ACVs) designed and built by M/S Griffon Hover works Limited UK and it was commissioned at Mumbai by inspector general SPS Basra, Commander Coast Guard Region (west) on December 23, 2013.

The 21 metres long ACV with 31 tons displacement can achieve a maximum speed of 45 knots. It is capable of undertaking multifarious tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and rendering assistance to small boats/crafts.

The craft is capable of moving on land as well as sea. Areas in accessible from both sea and land can be approached by hovercraft. The craft operates by skimming over the surface of the water using a cushion of air created by two propellers fitted on top of the craft.

In order to strengthen the coastal security along the coast off Karnataka, the hovercraft is scheduled to be based at New Mangalore once infrastructure is created.

The hovercraft is commanded by Commandant Sandeep Safaya and is fully armed with heavy machine guns and latest state of the art communication and navigation equipment including radar and worldwide satellite communication, said Rajendra Singh Sapal, commandant, district ops and plans officer for district commander in a press release.

 

Courtesy: Udayavani