Environmentally friendly hovercraft at external EU sea borders
Poland
Winter and summer, across the waters of the Vistula Lagoon, Hovercraft SG-413 & SG-414, operated by the Polish Border Guard, help to protect the maritime state border with the Russian Federation, which also constitutes an external maritime border of the EU, while also preserving the marine environment.
The two hovercraft operate in an air temperature range of -35° C to +35° C, in the Vistula Lagoon area covering a total area of 328 km². They are designed for patrolling, intervention, and search and rescue operations in winter conditions on ice (solid and crushed) and in summer on the water, as well as in areas overgrown with reeds and in marshy terrain.
As well as their other tasks, the craft play an important role in actively and proactively supporting and protecting the marine environment in this region.
Both hovercraft are virtually emissions-free and have minimal impact on aquatic ecosystems. They do not create a wake, thus mitigating against the erosion of riverbanks and protecting delicate aquatic habitats.
Both are equipped with kits for collecting oil-water and oil mixtures from the water surface and from ships. Their crews have been trained in monitoring water pollution and verifying water quality, thus actively supporting wider environmental protection and monitoring.