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Hovercraft Will Aid in Water Rescues
Tuesday, December 2, 2008, by Lisa Allmendinger

The Chelsea Area Fire Authority recently added a hovercraft to its arsenal of rescue equipment for use on open and frozen water.  The 1991 Hoverstar was donated and refurbished by the family of Chelsea Area Fire Authority Capt. Matt Tuttle, who died in a helicopter crash in 2006.

"Janet and Tom Tuttle (Matt Tuttle's parents) wanted us to have this since Matt was so heavily involved in rescue with the fire authority," said Fire Chief Jim Payeur.

With the donation, Chelsea becomes one of two cities in southern Michigan to own a watercraft that floats on a cushion of air, said Fire Capt. Chris Smyth.

Smyth and firefighter Mike Milliken recently completed specialized training in the operation of the rescue vehicle.

The red Hoverstar can float on open water, move across grass and skate on ice, but it works best on a smooth surface because it has airbags on the bottom that inflate as the driver uses the throttle, Smyth said.

"You don't want to use it on rough terrain," Smyth said.

It can travel at top speeds of 30 mph on the ground or water and 50 mph on ice.

And since there are at least 15 lakes in the Chelsea Area Fire Authority district, having a rescue craft of this type can be useful.

Smyth said a National Guard helicopter from Selfridge Air Base had to be called to the scene for the only ice rescue the authority has had since he started in 1991.

"A hovercraft can quickly get out there," Payeur said, adding that unless an ice rescue is very close to shore, it's very time consuming to get out there and get the victim back to safety.

Smyth said the Hoverstar can carry up to 600 pounds, so the authority's "smaller guys" will be used in a rescue so weight doesn't become an issue.

The authority plans to have training sessions for the firefighters and let them experience what it's like to rescue someone when the ice on the lake is thin.

They'll wear a yellow ice water rescue suit that allows them "to be able to stay 10, 15, 20 minutes in freezing water," Smyth said.

He said the authority wants surrounding departments to know Chelsea has this craft should it be needed.