Mangalore: The first of the two hovercraft arrived in Mangalore on Monday, to boost the coastal security and patrolling capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard in the state.

The hovercraft is the fastest vehicle in the coast guard fleet in the state with a speed of 45 knots (90 kmph). Gulvinder Singh, Commandant of the hovercraft said the vehicle is not only fast, but can go to areas where the ships cannot go. The ships don’t land on the shore, but hovercraft does’, he said.

The hovercraft H-196, which is manufactured in the United Kingdom, is 21m long and intended to use for surveillance, search and rescue operations and to provide assistance to smaller boats. The vehicle is armed with heavy machine guns, radar and satellite communication which will help in monietring the 320km long coastal belt.

The hovercraft will be stationed at Panambur, near ICG Karnataka headquarters, until a permanent hovercraft facility is developed over a 15-acre site at Tannirbhavi.