Coast Guard on Saturday got yet another hovercraft, which will be based in Mandapam of Ramanathapuram district and utilised for various operations including search and rescue.
Commissioning the vehicle, officially called H-197, at the headquarters of the Coast Guard here, Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Madras High Court Chief Justice, lauded the Guard in safeguarding the nation and maintaining peace and tranquillity in maritime zones of the country. He also pointed out how judiciary protected rights of people as enshrined in the Constitution.
Satya Prakash Sharma, Inspector General and Commander Coast Guard Region (East), said the hovercraft, equipped with advanced communication and navigational equipment, could operate at a speed of 45 knots.
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Regarding the activities of his organisation in the last two years, Mr. Sharma said the Coast Guard had apprehended 93 foreign fishing vessels and 48,000 kg of fish, which was valued at Rs. 4.8 crore in the international market. It also rescued 296 persons.
“Hudhud”
Asked about the Coast Guard’s preparedness in tackling the situation arising out of the very severe cyclone “Hudhud,” the IG said apart from cautioning fishermen to return to the shore, his organisation had also pressed the services of aircraft and ships to bring back any member of the fisherfolk. Once the cyclone crossed the coast, it would also support the local administration in rescue operations.
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M.P. Singh, chief executive of the Machinery Sales Corporation, said the hovercraft was the 11th in the series of 12 such vehicles, for which an order had been placed with the UK-based Griffon Hover work. This was more powerful and manoeuvrable than others.