In what will boost the patrolling capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard in the State, the first of the two hovercraft arrived in Mangalore on Monday. This is the first time a hovercraft will be stationed in the State.
On a sunny morning, the amphibious vehicle rode the waves, skimming over choppy waters, before parking on Panambur beach near the ICG, Karnataka headquarters.
With this acquisition, the hovercraft that has a speed of 45 knots (90 kmph) becomes the fastest vehicle in the coast guard fleet in the State.
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“Not only is it fast, it can also go to areas where our ships cannot go. For example, the ships have to keep an eye on the depth of the sea and so cannot approach the shore or have to be wary of shallow seas. The hovercraft can easily land on the shore,” said Gulvinder Singh, Commandant of the hovercraft. He leads a team of 11 men.
Manufactured in the United Kingdom, the Hovercraft H-196 is 21-m long and will be used for surveillance, search-and-rescue, emergency missions and to provide assistance to smaller boats at sea.
Coast Guard officers said the craft is armed with heavy machine guns, radar and satellite communication — allowing it to effectively keep an eye on the 320-km long Karnataka coastline.
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Mr. Singh said the crew had obtained specialised training in London and have been operating the craft along the coast since September. The Coast Guard expects the arrival of the second hovercraft within 10 days.
The vehicles will be stationed in a makeshift centre at Panambur, close to the ICG Karnataka headquarters until a permanent hoverport facility will be developed over a 15-acre site at Tannirbhavi beach.