Hovercraft for the SAFER district. Image courtesy: WAOW TV
WESTON, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – South Area Fire District, or SAFER, now has a hovercraft to add to its arsenal.
The cost was around $60,000, and it weighs more than 400 pounds. It will be used for water rescues. but can operate on most surfaces.
The hovercraft is not being used yet because of training requirements, which will take several weeks.
“It’s not as easy to control as a boat. Just because you turn doesn’t mean you’re going to turn now, you need to plan your route a lot sooner than you would with a boat or a vehicle,” said battalion chief Steve Genrich.
The hovercraft was purchased from an Indiana-based company last January.
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