Rescue Scenarios

Due to their unique capability to safely access areas that no other rescue vehicle can reach, hovercraft are used in a diversity of rescue scenarios. These include, but are not limited to:

• Rescue operations on rivers, lakes and oceans in ice, swiftwater and mud
• Search and rescue missions in floods, shallows, wetlands, bogs, marshes and sand
• Animal rescue and wildlife retrieval
• Dive team recovery missions
• Aircraft crashes

The following will provide an overview of the general requirements and performance specifications for rescue hovercraft.

Typical Rescue Scenarios for Rescue Hovercraft.

1. Hovercraft Mud & Ice Rescue on Rivers and Lakes
Rescue of person(s) falling through or trapped on ice or mud

• Usually short distance from shore.
• Low temperatures, possibly limited visibility, could be day or night operation, usually low wind speeds.
• Deploy hovercraft rapidly from road trailer and launch from river or lake bank.
• Proceed to victim(s) at low to medium speed depending upon distance, 25 mph (40 km/hr).
• Maneuver up to or around victim(s) to achieve best retrieval position given the situation. Could be loaded from either side or front of hovercraft. It is essential that hovercraft does not overshoot and overrun victim(s) at speed.
• To retrieve victims clinging to ice ledge, deploy in-water rescuer wearing Mustang Ice Suit so hovercraft will not dislodge victims' hold.
• Load into hovercraft or onto stretcher if required. May be necessary to drag up to 250 lb (113 kg) person over the side and onto a stretcher. Three persons may need to be carried at one time. Could be grossly overloaded with multiple victims.
• Return hovercraft to ambulance pick up point at medium speed fully loaded and unload victim(s) on dry land if possible.
• Hovercraft may be required to rescue animals from mud or ice.

2. Hovercraft Swiftwater Rescue
Rescue of persons trapped in fast flowing water

• Usually short distance from shore.
• Temperate conditions, wind up to beaufort 4 (15 mph, 24 km/hr), strong current with small wavelets (1 ft max) (304 mm).
• Rapidly deploy and launch hovercraft from riverbank or suitable area nearest to victim(s).
• May need to carry hovercraft over steep or wooded bank.
• Proceed to rescue at low to medium speed.
• Maneuver up to victim(s) to achieve best retrieval position in given conditions. Important that craft is able to hover stationary close to victim to facilitate loading even in fast current conditions.
• Board one or two persons from tree, rock or log refuge. May be necessary to pluck victim(s) from fast flowing waterway.
• Return hovercraft to dry land or ambulance pick up point at medium speed fully loaded and unload on dry land where possible.
• Hovercraft may be required to rescue animals from fast flowing water.

3. Hovercraft Flood Rescue
Search and rescue over flooded areas

• Ability to search for 2 hours at up to medium speed 25 mph (40 km/hr), over wide shallow and narrow twisting waterways.
• Temperate conditions, low to moderate winds 15 mph (24 km/hr), low currents. May be necessary to proceed at night at low speeds for limited periods.
• Ability to locate and rescue 2 or more victims from isolated land, trees, roof, etc.
• Hovercraft must be able to maneuver in relatively confined waterways even inside flooded buildings, and retrace passage if necessary. Ability to manhandle hovercraft over fallen trees and around large obstacles is needed.
• May be required to carry limited amount of emergency rations and supplies to remote areas 400 lbs. max. (181 kg).
• Hovercraft may be required to rescue animals from floodwaters.

Many more applications could be postulated, such as deployment of inflatable raft(s) at aircraft crash sites and ventilation of smoke filled buildings. However, the above three categories provide the general requirements and thus generate a logical performance specification for small rescue hovercraft.

Generic Specifications for a Light Rescue Hovercraft

1. General:

Hovercraft should be capable of rescue operations over thin ice, open water, swiftwater, floodwater, salt water, mud and marsh.

2. Performance:

• Payload Capacity
  • Average payload 500 lb (227 kg)
  • Maximum Overload 1,000 lb (455 kg)
• Speed
  • With average payload cruise 25 mph (40 km/hr) over calm water.
• Hoverheight
  • Average payload and maximum power 6 – 9 in. (152 – 228 mm)
• Range
  • Average payload, calm water 50 – 60 miles (80 – 96 km).
• Stationary Hover
  • At average payload, hovercraft must maintain static horizontal hover over ice, water or mud in 25 mph (40 km/hr) tail wind.
• Reverse
  • With average payload, hovercraft must be capable of backing up against 6 mph (9.6 km/hr) current while on hover and in 10 mph (16 km/hr) tail wind conditions.
• Floating Stability
  • In calm conditions, hovercraft must float indefinitely even if totally submerged. With 800 lb (364 kg) load on extreme edge of cockpit floor, no water should enter cockpit during any 5-minute period.
• Retrieval
  • In calm conditions, 250 lb (113 kg) dead weight person must be easily recoverable from water by a crew of two 150 lb (68 kg) persons. Hovercraft sidewalls must permit easy and rapid body recovery. Cockpit should be free of obstructions. Over-the-bow-retrieval in swiftwater conditions must be possible. Hovercraft must be capable of transporting a person on a backboard or onto a stretcher or laying one or two persons lengthwise inside cockpit area. Option of carrying a crew of two plus one stretcher victim or crew of two plus two victims in prone position or driver with up to 3 passengers for ferry operations or driver plus secured cargo. Hovercraft may also have to rescue animals.
• Lifting and Moving
  • Hovercraft must have 3 or more structural points (stressed to 3G) suitable for crane or helicopter lifting and for mooring, winching or tie down.

3. Physical:

• Weight Empty
  • 500 – 600 lb (227 – 272 kg)
• Width
  • Hard structure must not exceed 8 ft 6 in (2,590 mm) off cushion.
• Height
  • Hovercraft must be capable of passing under 5 ft (1524 mm) solid obstruction (such as a bridge) when hovering on cushion.
• Temp/Altitude
  • Hovercraft must operate between -30° F and 110° F (-34 and 43° C) and up to 10,000-foot (3048 m) elevation without major modification.
• Drainage
  • A large capacity screw in/out cockpit drain plug min 4 in (101 m) diameter should be provided for ease of cleaning and emergency dumping of excess cockpit water.

4. Systems:

• Powerplant
Electric as well as manual start. Gasoline, diesel or other suitable engine(s).

• Protection
Fan and engine must be protected from ingress of foreign objects.

• Skirts
Must be easily and quickly replaceable in the field. Average use life 100 hours. If segment type, must not blow out if one safety breakaway tie is broken.

• Safely Switch
Must be equipped with lanyard or similar type of emergency kill switch.

• Engine Icing
Must have some provision for preventing carburetor icing.

• Power
Battery charging 13V minimum of 120 watt at full power

• Landing

Under hull pads or skids must permit a safe emergency landing from 15 mph (24 km/hr) in any direction on blacktop, ice or mud without digging in or rolling.

5. Transportation:

• Trailering
Trailer weight under 250 lb (114 kg). Capable of one-person operation and suitable for retrieving or loading hovercraft when engine is not operating.

• Movement

When shut down, hovercraft must be capable of being manhandled. Four average persons (160 lb, 73 kg), wearing rescue gear, should be capable of walking hovercraft 100 ft (30 m).

6. Life:

Hovercraft must be constructed from all new materials and components, which will last more than 25 years under normal rescue and training use. Maintenance of structure, power plant and components must be of a level similar to any vehicle(s) having the same characteristics.

7. Options:

A range of hovercraft rescue options must be available, for example.

• 100-watt siren and public address system. Useful for operation in low visibility conditions.
• A minimum capacity spotlight of 200,000 Candela.
• Either a light bar or a strobe light.
• Navigation lights, instrument panel and headlights.
• Fire extinguisher.
• Partial or full winter cab.
• Backboard or stretcher mount.
• Reflecting rescue decals.
• Equipment storage compartment(s).
• Bosun's hook
• Throw bag(s).
• Bilge pump (electric).
• On board and ship to shore communications.
• Portable fuel tank(s).
• Salt water marinization package.