Mangaluru, Nov 10: Karnataka governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala on Monday commissioned Indian Coast Guard's new Air Cushion Vessels — H-196 and H-198 —at the Coast Guard Complex, Panambur on the outskirts of the city.
Speaking on the occasion the governor hailed that Karnataka unit of the Indian Coast Guard, which played a crucial role in safeguarding nation's security.
He said that the commissioning of two new hovercrafts and other advanced equipments would further strengthen the security in the region.
The governor said that the Air Cushion Vessels not only combat terrorists who enter through the sea route but also will protect the fishermen during emergency.
The commissioning programme included a presentation of guard of honour to the Governor, reading out of commissioning warrant, exchange of memento and unveiling of hovercrafts.
Inspector General SPS Basra, commander, Coast Guard Region (West), Rajamani Sharma, Deputy Inspector General of Indian Coast Guard, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA Moideen Bhava, Deputy Commissioner AB Ibrahim, Police Commissioner R Hitendra were present among others on the occasion.
Air Cushion Vessels: The 21 meter-long ACV with 31 tons displacement can achieve a maximum speed of 45 knots. It is capable of undertaking multifarious tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and rendering assistance to small boats and crafts. The craft is capable of moving on land as well as sea. Areas inaccessible from both sea and land can be approached by hovercraft. The craft operates by skimming over the surface of the water using a cushion of air created by two propellers fitted on top of the craft.
The ACV is fully armed with heavy machine guns and latest state of the art communication and navigation equipment including radar and worldwide satellite communication. In order to strengthen the coastal security along the state's coast, the hovercraft is based at new Mangaluru.
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