Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (EP)
With Inputs from Media Release
Mangalore, Sep 22: The Indian Coast Guard Hovercraft H-196, the third series of air cushion vehicle (ACV) built by the UK arrived at Panambur beach here on Monday September 22. It will be based permanently at New Mangalore.
This modern hovercraft that has the ability to move on water as well as land will strengthen the coast guard surveillance. Another vehicle will arrive after the new center for anchor is constructed in Tannir Bavi.
The 21-metre long ACV with 31 tons of displacement can achieve a maximum speed of 45 knots (90 kmph). It is capable of undertaking multifarious tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and rendering assistance to small boats/craft’s etc at sea. The craft is capable of operation on land as well as over sea. Areas inaccessible from both sea and land likely marshy lands and isolated islands can be approached by the hovercraft. The craft operates by skimming over the surface of water using a cushion of air created by two propellers fitted on top of the craft. It has the capacity to function even in incessant weather 24 hours a day.
Karnataka Coast Guards Commander Rajmani Sharma and Operation Commander Rajender Singh Safal received the hovercraft.
The hovercraft is commanded by Commandant Gulvinder Singh and is fully armed with heavy machine guns and state of art communication and navigation equipment including radar and world wide satellite communication.
A model hovercraft that had arrived here via Mumbai-Karwar in February 2014 had conducted survey for its transport. Two such modern hovercrafts are approved for the area. The coast guard has obtained land for the expansion of its shelter in Tannir Bavi.
The union government has been stressing on the security along the coasts. Separate berths are being constructed for anchoring of surveillance boats belonging to coast guard at the port. They have obtained land with an agreement extending to 100 years. After the berth gets completed, the second surveillance vessel also is likely to arrive and anchor there.