Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV/SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 30: Karnataka's first hovercraft, H-196, the third series of air cushion vehicle built by UK, and which had recently joined the boats operated by the Coast Guard to fortify its capabilities, suffered considerable damage after hitting an Acacia tree on Thursday January 29 morning near ICG, Karnataka headquarters at Panambur beach.

As per reliable sources, when the Hovercraft arrived ashore on January 28 night after its surveillance work, its helmsman lost control and hit the tree. 

However, according to the Panambur police, heavy wind from sea prevented the Hovercraft from moving into the sea for surveillance and as a result the Hovercraft went out of control and hit the tree.

Rajendra Sapal, commandant, coast guard denied that the Hovercraft had any problems and said, "The Hovercraft is absolutely alright. There is no problem. Even the Hovercraft is a machine like a car. If your car hits a pole, don't you make it right?"

The coast guards had cardoned off the spot where the Hovercraft was kept and did not allow tourists near it, claiming that it was a restricted area.

Two hovercrafts had recently been allotted to the Coast Guard for strengthening its hold on the coastline, after being inaugurated by the state governor. These hovercrafts are provided parking slots near the Coast Guard's central office at Panambur. 

It is surprising that the hovercraft, which can move on different surfaces at appreciable speeds, and have enough space to ease into the sea without any problems, moved towards the thicket that is located away from its path and hit a tree there. The fact that it strayed from its path and hit a tree with considerable impact makes many to suspect that it was being driven by some inexperienced persons. Some sources put the figure of loss to the rubber tube, deck etc at around one crore rupees.