T’puram: The coast guard’s (CG) coastal surveillance and rescue capabilities are set to receive a boost with the addition of indigenous hovercraft, two of which reached the Adimalathura coast near Vizhinjam on Monday. The vessels, designed to operate both on land and at sea, can navigate shallow coastal waters, making them particularly useful for patrolling and rescue operations along the coastline.The hovercraft, H-561 and H-562, arrived off Adimalathura around noon before moving towards the shore. This was the first time hovercraft had reached this stretch of the coast.Built at the Chowgule Shipyard in Goa, the vessels are part of a six-hovercraft programme being undertaken indigenously for the CG under the Centre’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The programme is aimed at reducing dependence on foreign-built platforms while strengthening the force’s operational capabilities.The two hovercraft reached Vizhinjam from Kochi after visiting coastal areas under various stations in the CG’s southern region. Following their launch, the vessels are undertaking trial voyages, which are scheduled to conclude at Haldia in West Bengal.The hovercraft can attain a maximum speed of 96kmph, carry a load of up to eight tonnes and accommodate 42 personnel. The CG currently operates 12 foreign-built hovercraft. The addition of the indigenous vessels is expected to expand its capacity to undertake coastal patrols, monitor vulnerable stretches and respond to emergencies.Premjit Sahol is the commanding officer of the hovercraft that reached Vizhinjam. Each vessel has three officers and 16 personnel on board.The vessels were received at Vizhinjam by station commanding officer Suresh Kurup and executive officer Commandant Biju Philip. They are scheduled to leave for Thoothukudi on Tuesday.With Vizhinjam emerging as an international port and tourism destination, officials said the CG station here could potentially be allotted a dedicated hovercraft unit. Such a deployment could improve surveillance and response times along the southern coastline, particularly in shallow waters and areas frequented by tourists.
