Indian Coast Guard Bids Farewell to Hovercraft H-186 After 24 Years of Distinguished Service

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has officially decommissioned *Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) H-186, bringing to a close the remarkable operational journey of one of its most dependable hovercraft after more than two decades of service. The decommissioning ceremony was held on **June 29, 2026, at **88 ACV Squadron, Coast Guard Headquarters No. 8, Haldia, West Bengal, in the presence of *Inspector General Iqbal Singh Chauhan, PTM, TM, Commander Coast Guard Region (North East), senior Coast Guard officers, civil dignitaries, and members of the maritime community.

Commissioned on *March 21, 2002, Hovercraft H-186 played a pivotal role in strengthening India’s coastal security. Equipped with amphibious capabilities, the craft was capable of operating seamlessly over water, mudflats, and shallow coastal terrain, making it an invaluable asset for *coastal surveillance, search and rescue (SAR), anti-smuggling operations, and maritime law enforcement.

Throughout its 24 years of service, H-186 earned a reputation for operational excellence and lifesaving missions. Among its most significant achievements was the *rescue of 511 pilgrims on January 16, 2023, during a large-scale search and rescue operation under challenging conditions. The hovercraft again demonstrated its effectiveness by rescuing **182 pilgrims on January 16, 2024, ensuring their safe evacuation. In another critical mission at *Bakkhali Beach on August 11, 2024, the craft participated in a search operation that led to the recovery of two bodies.

The hovercraft’s outstanding contributions were recognised with the ‘Best Search and Rescue (SAR) Unit’ award in *2004, followed by another honour in *2006 after successfully saving 78 lives.

As part of the Indian Coast Guard’s *Golden Jubilee celebrations, H-186 will be preserved and displayed as a heritage relic in *New Town, Kolkata, allowing future generations to appreciate its distinguished service to the nation.

While bidding farewell to this iconic platform, the Indian Coast Guard has reaffirmed its commitment to modernising India’s maritime security infrastructure. The induction of a new generation of indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) reflects the force’s continued focus on self-reliance, advanced technology, and enhanced operational readiness to safeguard India’s vast coastline against evolving maritime challenges.

H-186’s legacy stands as a testament to the courage, professionalism, and dedication of the officers and crew who served aboard the hovercraft, leaving behind an enduring chapter in the history of India’s maritime security.