Mangalore gets Karnataka’s first hovercraft from UK for coastal surveillance

Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, Sep 24, 2014: As an attempt to strengthen the patrolling capabilities of the Indian Coastguards in Karnataka, the first of 2 hovercrafts arrived here on Monday, September 22.

 

Karnataka Coastguards Commander Rajmani Sharma and Operation Commander Rajender Singh Safal received the hovercraft.

 

The hovercrafts are manufactured in United Kingdom, the third series of air-cushion vehicle (ACV) Hovercraft H-196 is 21 meters in length will be used for surveillance, search-and-rescue, emergency missions and to provide assistance to smaller boats at sea.

 

 

With this acquisition, the hovercraft can reach the top speed of 45 knots (90 kilometre per hour) becomes the fastest in the coast guard fleet in Karnataka.

 

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 worldwide satellite communication.

 

Commandant Gulvinder said, ‘It is not only fast, it can also operate in the areas where our coastguard patrol vessels cannot manoeuvre. 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.

 

Gulvinder further said the crew had obtained specialized training in London and have been operating the craft along the coast since September. The Coastguard expects the arrival of the second hovercraft within ten days.

 

The hovercrafts will be stationed at Panambur as of now, close to the Indian Coastguards Karnataka headquarter here until a permanent birthing facility will be developed in a 15-acre plot at Tannirbhavi beach.