The Hov Pod SPX can be deployed quickly and safely where many traditional vehicles cannot access and its rescue uses include local mud/tidal waters or ice rescue together with more widespread use for flood rescue and relief work. In flood response situations flooding can disrupt a large area and wash away roads and bridges.
The Hov Pod Rescue Hovercraft is designed to be easy to use and affordable - cheaper to buy than the daily operation costs of some helicopters & large hovercraft. The operator does not have to have special training, so many rescue hovercraft can be deployed over a large area to respond where required.
Rescue organisations that have purchased include the Hov Pod for rescue applications include United Nations World Food Program, Argentinean Coastguard, Hong Kong Harbour patrol, DLRG, and The Red Cross.
The Hov Pod is not manufactured from glass fibre - we manufacture hulls from HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) and our second generation version is referred to as TCC (Thermal Controlled Composite). This high impact material is very strong, though lightweight, and has excellent integral buoyancy.
Because of this HDPE hull the Hov Pod is ideal for general rugged use but in particular over ice and snow. Unlike snowmobiles and boats the Hov Pod is a true year round solution and is not affected by thinning ice, water pools, melting ice, broken ice or access to or from ice or water lakes. We have sold craft for use in Scandinavia, Canada and Central Europe, please see some of the You Tube links in our video area on the website.
The Hov Pod Hull is therefore far more suitable than thin glass fibre constructed hovercraft hulls that shatter on impact with ice or debris in water or mud. This characteristic is particularly comforting in cold climates as some glass fibre hovercraft in the past have sunk or let on board freezing water exposing occupants to the threat of hypothermia.
The other critical area to consider is the skirts. Thin skirts get ripped and are expensive to keep replacing, and dangerous if ripped by debris or ice. The Hov Pod skirt material is a unique specially developed Polyurethane / Nylon weave & fabric combination with anti-rip properties & incredible wear resistance. It means you can operate in far greater safety & will not be forever changing or repairing skirts. Even when cut by sharp scissors it is almost impossible to extend the cut. 65 Individual skirt sections & the unique IAPSS skirt design gives far greater flexibility, continued operational ability & high speed safety.
