Two hovercraft were dedicated to Tamil Nadu at an induction ceremony at the beach near Coovum river mouth in Chennai. Mr P Shankar, Chief Secretary, Tamil Nadu and senior state government and police officials were present at the commissioning ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, Cmde RS Vasan, Coast Guard Region (East) said that the new hovercraft would be deployed at Mandapam. Out of the six hovercraft planned, five have already been commissioned. The sixth one would be commissioned soon, he said.

The hovercraft which can cruise at a maximum speed of 90 km per hour in the waters, will provide much required dimension for effective shallow water patrol. Assembled at Garden Reach Workshop in Kolkata, each hovercraft costs about Rs 9 crore.

Hovercraft H-183 and H-184 are commanded by Cmdt HC Birah and Cmdt NK Kaul respectively