The more I see of the effects of flooding in Queensland, the more I realise that there is a clear role for hovercraft in many of the flood conditions.
We've offered our services to the State Emergency Services, but without even a reply! It's very frustrating and such a shame when we're willing to make ourselves and our two hovercraft available to help. Hovercraft operating costs are a fraction of the cost of helicopter use, and we’re there on the ground. We have two fully trained drivers with massive experience and UK operating qualifications. Seeing the floods on TV is just so frustrating when you know you can be of assistance to so many people who need the help of these unique vehicles. Watching three rescuers struggling dangerously in a paddle powered inflatable to reach two fellers stuck on the roof of their car in floodwater - madness! A hovercraft would have whipped them away in no time.
We don't claim that our small 3.1m Marlin Hovercraft can undertake every job. In fact, to be on the safe side, we don't like to claim they have more than limited rescue capability. But there are times when only a hovercraft or helicopter can help with rescue efforts and there's lots of other tasks that Flying Fish Hovercraft can undertake in a flood situation, to name but a few....
· Search and response
· Limited rescue role
Ac Access to livestock.
· Medical response
· Water/food delivery
· Area reconnaissance
· Ferrying of crews to site.
There is absolutely no doubt we can provide a very valuable addition to flood response with a vehicle that can undertake work like nothing else available.
Remember, these are not homebuilt projects with poor performance and reliability – our hovercraft are fully capable of operating reliably in demanding environments.Thus the large number of enquiries we are currently receiving from farmers and landowners in the north of Queensland.
So State Emergency Services(!) - if we can be of help – or you’d even like to trial our craft, then please don’t hesitate to contact us.
