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Bangladesh Coast Guard to launch hovercrafts in its operation

| Updated: October 16, 2017 20:30:13


Bangladesh Coast Guard to launch hovercrafts in its operation

The Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) is planning to introduce hovercrafts in its operation. It has also planned to procure hovercrafts and has requested India to assist in training and maintenance.

A hovercraft, also known as an air-cushion vehicle or ACV, is a craft capable of travelling over land, water, mud, ice, and other surfaces.

Hovercraft are hybrid vessels operated by a pilot as an aircraft rather than a captain as a marine vessel, reports by http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has been operating hovercrafts for several years now and several of them are based at Haldia.

 In accordance with an earlier agreement, the ICG has been providing training to BCG officers and sailors since 2014.

To meet requirements of the neighbouring country, two courses are being held for the officers and sailors from this year.

Last week, a BCG delegation led by Capt Md Ali Chowdhury, commander, West Zone, visited the ICG's northeast regional headquarters in Kolkata.

A regional commanders' meet is being held here till Wednesday.

Capt Chowdhury met Kuldip Singh Sheoran, IG and commander, ICG (north east region) and discussed bilateral issues, including sensitization of fishermen on cross-border fishing, table-top exercises, real time information sharing and capacity building of the BCG.

"For better management of the Indian coastline along the states of West Bengal and Odisha, it is important for Bangladesh to have a strong force.

In 2016, over 300 lives of fishermen could be saved at sea due to co-ordination between the ICG and BCG.

Indian ships and aircraft were allowed to cross over the International Maritime Boundary Line by Bangladesh in search of fishermen.

BCG assets provided support during these operations.

We wish to take this co-operation ahead, not only for humanitarian aid but also security," an ICG official said.-SAA

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