Mangalore amazed by Hovercraft H-194 at Panambur beach

Mangalore amazed by Hovercraft H-194 at Panambur beach

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Feb 15, 2014 : The 31-tonne Hovercraft H-194  which is  expected to play a major role in the operations of the Indian Coast Guard in the coming days and also in protecting the long coastline of the country,  made its entry to Panambur beach on February 14, Friday.

 

 

 

 

 

Equipped with some of the best features, the Hovercraft will be at Panambur for public view till February 19. The Hovercraft is capable of moving both on land and sea.

The Hovercraft was commissioned at Mumbai by Inspector General SPS Basra, Commander Coast Guard Region (West) on December 23, 2013. It is fully armed with heavy machine guns and latest state of the art communication and navigation equipment including radar and worldwide satellite communication.

According to Sandeep Safaya,  Commandant of the Hovercraft, the visit to Panambur was as part of the initiative of the Cost Guard to strengthen security. Air Cushion Vessels H-194, built  by M/s Griffon Hoverworks Limited (GHL), UK is   the eighth of the series of 12 Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs).

Prior to arriving at Panambur, the Hovercraft was at Karwar. It has 13 crew on board  including two officers.

 Rajender Singh Sapal, Commandant, District Operations and Plans Officer, says the 21 meter long Hovercraft’s maximum speed is 45 knots and is  a multi-utility hovercraft which can engage in search and rescue missions, surveillance and aiding small boats. It operates by skimming over the surface of the water using a cushion of air created by two propellers fitted on top of the craft.