ICG Chief reviews security preparedness along north-western seafront; Inaugurates Hoverport at Okha

New Delhi: The Director-General of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) VS Pathania has reviewed the force's operational preparedness and coastal security mechanism of the north-western seafront. He also inaugurated a hoverport at Okha in Gujarat.

Indian Coast Guard said in a tweet, "@IndiaCoastGuard DG VS Pathania,PTM,TM #DGICG reviewed the ops preparedness at #Gujarat & inaugurated #ICG hoverport at #Okha #Gujarat in presence of Regional Cdr #RHQ North-West & #MES officials for berthing and maintenance of #Hovercrafts."

During his visit, the flag officer was briefed about the Coast Guard's preparedness to tackle maritime emergencies such as marine oil spills, grounding of ships and cyclones.

The newly inaugurated hoverport at Okha will be used as a terminal for hovercraft which is an amphibious vehicle capable of traveling over land, water, mud, ice, and other surfaces. These amphibians operate at high speeds between 30-40 knots (around 50-60 kilometers) per hour.

Hovercrafts are highly useful in hot pursuit of any suspicious boat or individuals in the waters. As they operate from both sea and shores, they  are also efficient in nabbing any rogue element.

Hoverport has the required infrastructure to allow the hovercraft to come on land. Hovercrafts require relatively high fuel consumption as compared to traditional ferries to come on land.

ICG has deployed hovercraftin the area to increase its surveillance capabilities and to protect against any filtration bids from the Pakistan Side.

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