To check the sea-board infiltration, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is strengthening its maritime surveillance with the induction of a new hovercraft in its newly-created region, the North East covering the vast coastline along West Bengal. Air Cushion Vehicle, the hover craft designed by the UK-based Griffon Hoverwork Limited, arrived at Haldia on Thursday from Chennai via AP and Orissa. Chief public relations officer (Eastern Command) Group Captain T.K. Singha told this newspaper: “The ACV (H-188) is expected to start operating from August following commissioning. At present, the ICG uses two hovercrafts built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).” The region is going to receive another such in 2013, according to sources.
“The latest induction and the forthcoming one along with the existing two from the GRSE will definitely lead to an effective presence of the ICG and give a major boost to its vigil. This induction, the second in the series of 12 ACVs of GHL for ICG, is a part of an ongoing expansion plan. The first GHL-built ACV(H-187) was commissioned at Okha in Gujarat on June 12,” Mr Singha explained.
Based at Haldia, the 21-metre-long ACV, fitted with state-of-the-art sensors, will skim through water in the Sundarbans and adjoining areas with a capacity of 13 personnel, including two officers and armed configuration. It is specially designed for day and night operations.