Hovercraft To The Rescue

Contact: Mike Glanville Reaction International Ltd Phone +44 (0)7699 391 390 Email [email protected]

P O Box 617 Southampton, UK www.hovpod.com

Hov Pod

Press Release Tuesday, 28 April 2009 for immediate release Subject: Hovercraft to the rescue We hope that you can use this press release, images are available on request.

Hovercraft to the rescue While scientists debate whether extreme weather patterns are linked to human activities, or due to natural phenomenon, TV and newspaper reports appear to confirm that more people are at risk from major flooding. Small rescue hovercraft now play an important role to allow rescuers quick access to reach flood victims. Hovercraft have a number of benefits that make them very useful in rescue situations. Unlike rescue boats, hovercraft do not have propellers to snag on wire fences or other obstacles submerged under water. The hovercraft skirt allows the craft to hover at a height to ride over partially submerged obstacles in their way. When response time is critical, hovercraft can travel from land to water, at speeds of up to 50 mph, to reach victims in time, before they succumb to their injuries. In areas where flooding is widespread, hovercraft can carry vital supplies, medicines and food, to reach victims in outlying areas. Flood victims are subject to many dangers, and obviously drowning requires a rapid response – too often rescue and fire departments fail to have suitable equipment in place until some major tragedy occurs. Hovercraft can reach victims in water, on land, fast flowing rivers, muddy swamps, and icy lakes where hypothermia can affect victims who fall through the ice perhaps as a result of global warming. Hovercraft are not restricted by the tidal mud or tidal streams that prevent boats and jet skis For immediate release more

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Hov Pod, and now for something completely different

from operating due to low tide conditions. These versatile craft handle water, sand, mud, ice, snow, and any flat surface One hovercraft popular with rescue organisations, as used by the UN World Food Program, is the Hov Pod. As used by the Red Cross - Hov Pod has been brought in to help Highland rescuers. It will be used in flooded areas, on frozen lochs, sand bars and mud flats. The vessel Greer, named from Old Scots meaning watchful or valiant, was unveiled by the Red Cross and is based in Inverness. Operations director Ian Rideout said: "A big issue for us is shallow, fast-moving water where we can't launch a boat. The hovercraft is totally unaffected." The Hov Pod’s unique advantage is it’s hull design that utilises High Density Polyethylene – this material has been used in the past in the construction of F1 crash barriers and artificial joints. HDPE is very light, strong, impact resistant, and extremely buoyant so makes an ideal material for hovercraft construction. Hov Pods are designed for commercial and rescue use, so there are many safety features included as standard. The sheer versatility of the craft make them ideal for all manner of applications, such as tenders, rescue craft, allowing exploration to places other craft and people cannot reach, such as winter ice-bound island homes, shallow rivers, or deserted islands surrounded by coral-reefs. With no propeller to disturb marine life, they are also eco-friendly. The Hov Pod’s unique hull design utilises High Density Polyethylene – this material has been used in the past in the construction of F1 crash barriers and artificial joints. HDPE is very light, very strong and impact resistant, and extremely buoyant so makes an ideal material for hovercraft construction. These versatile craft handle water, sand, mud, ice, snow; any flat surface. Hov Pods seat three adults. Hov Pod Images and Video Store at http://picasaweb.google.com/HovPodimages

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Hov Pod, and now for something completely different

For further information, please contact Mike Glanville at: E-mail: [email protected] Phone: +44(0)23 8023 1111 Web: www.hovpod.com Hov Pod designed and manufactured by: Reaction International Ltd, PO Box 617 Southampton SO16 4XL. Images and further information can be downloaded from Website www.hovpod.com For personal test or profile interview please contact Sales and Marketing Manager Mike Glanville