In Canada the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) has been operating hovercraft continuously since the end of the 60's. Two bases now exist in 1997. The first one is in Vancouver, British Columbia, where a Search and Rescue unit operates two SRN-6.
In the CCG «Laurentide» region, a base was established in the mid 70's at Nun Island, Montreal. A Bell "Voyageur" was used there for general river work, buoy maintenance, and ice-breaking.
The hovercraft, able to move over shallow rivers without worrying about water depth, was able to clear ice in the many rivers of the Montreal area. Since then, flooding has been but eliminated at spring break-up.
In 1987, the "Voyageur" was replaced by the BHC AP.1-88/200 "Waban-Aki", a more modern and economical vehicle. "Waban-Aki" uses diesel engines rather than the turbines of the "Voyageur".
CCG has procured two units of a larger version of the "Waban-Aki", the BHC AP.1-88/400. Built in Canada, the first is to be delivered at the end of 1997 at the Hovercraft base of the "Laurentide" region. This has been moved from Montreal to Trois-Rivières in 1996 so that the hovercraft could be near the centre of the region.
The second AP.1-88/400 is to be delivered to the Vancouver base in 1998 where it will support the ailing SRN-6's, performing search and rescue tasks as well as others that could not be carried out easily by the SRN-6's, due to their cabin lay-out.
A few images (click on the photo to display in full resolution) :
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| The SRN-6 hovercraft. | The first ice-breaking hovercraft of the CCG, the Bell "Voyageur" 1972-1987. | The "Waban-Aki" in a ice-breaking session. CCG hovercraft, (BHC AP.1-88/200), delivered in 1987. |
The new
hovercraft of the Canadian Coast Guard, the BHC
AP.1-88/400. Two delivered for 1998. |
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Page created
on August 29, 1997 by MALINA
Conseil inc.
Last update on December 4, 1997.