Fire Rescue News - NBC40 HOPS ABOARD HOVERCRAFT II
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP-- The Scullville Volunteer Fire Company has one rescue vehicle that many say simply hovers above the rest.
"You're pretty much riding on a six-inch cushion of air," said Patrick Flynn, Lieutenant with the Scullville Volunteer Fire Company.
However, it's a rescue craft you shouldn't take lightly.
"Due to the fact that it goes....Continue Reading
out onto that water and pretty much can save someone's life in a heartbeat," said Scullville Fire Chief Michael Fiedor.
It can save lives almost anywhere and travels in any direction. Scullville Fire Department simply calls this vehicle Hovercraft II.
"The high tide, the low tide. We can just pretty much go in someone's backyard and get into the water. We don't need a ramp we can go right down the street if we have to and we have done that," said Fiedor.
Chief Fiedor says its one of only three in the state. So we jumped at a chance to gear up and climb aboard to hover above the Great Egg Harbor Bay. That's when we found out Hovercraft II doesn't travel like your typical watercraft.
"You got to use your hands and fingers at the same time, you got to turn at the same time, it gets pretty difficult," said Flynn.
The ride is unlike any other. It feels like at some points you are spinning out of control. The top speed is close to 45 miles per hour and can get you out of some sticky situations.
"We went right across the mud flats then went up to them, picked them up one at a time and brought them back," said Flynn.
Patrick Flynn was operating the craft this past Saturday when it was used to rescue six boaters from a messy situation. Their pontoon boat was stuck in nearly 30 feet of mud after high winds blew out the tide. It was also used several years ago to rescue a Pleasantville man near the Atlantic City Expressway.
"Right now if they call I am going to go anywhere from the tip of Cape May to New York City if that's they want me," said Fiedor.
It can save lives almost anywhere and travels in any direction. Scullville Fire Department simply calls this vehicle Hovercraft II.
"The high tide, the low tide. We can just pretty much go in someone's backyard and get into the water. We don't need a ramp we can go right down the street if we have to and we have done that," said Fiedor.
Chief Fiedor says its one of only three in the state. So we jumped at a chance to gear up and climb aboard to hover above the Great Egg Harbor Bay. That's when we found out Hovercraft II doesn't travel like your typical watercraft.
"You got to use your hands and fingers at the same time, you got to turn at the same time, it gets pretty difficult," said Flynn.
The ride is unlike any other. It feels like at some points you are spinning out of control. The top speed is close to 45 miles per hour and can get you out of some sticky situations.
"We went right across the mud flats then went up to them, picked them up one at a time and brought them back," said Flynn.
Patrick Flynn was operating the craft this past Saturday when it was used to rescue six boaters from a messy situation. Their pontoon boat was stuck in nearly 30 feet of mud after high winds blew out the tide. It was also used several years ago to rescue a Pleasantville man near the Atlantic City Expressway.
"Right now if they call I am going to go anywhere from the tip of Cape May to New York City if that's they want me," said Fiedor.
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Scullville Fire Co. Hover II
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Neoteric Hovercraft Inc.
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Payload = 4 person, 600 lbs
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Forward Speed = 35 mph maximum recommended cruise
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30- 45 mph mudflat, beach.
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45 mph water
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30 - 40 land, short grass.
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40 - 50 mph smooth ice
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30 - 45 firm ice
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Range Endurance = 60 miles @ cruising speed, 1.7 hrs
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Static Thrust = 160 lbs 65 hp engine
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Lenght = 13 ft 8 in on cushion, 12 ft off cushion
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Width = 8 ft 4 in on cushion, 6 ft 8 in off cushion
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Height = 4 ft 6 in on cushion, 3 ft 9in off cushion
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