During the 2006 floods, the rescue boats used by the fire department officials failed to operate in fast flowing currents and proved effective only in stagnant water. After the floods, SMC officials were given the task of looking up for Flood Rescue vans and Rescue Airboats to tackle all flood related situations in the city. A single Rescue Airboat costs Rs 45 lakh, while a Rescue Van costs as much as Rs 1.29 crore. At present, the vans and the airboats are being kept for demonstration at the ongoing National Book and Horticulture fair organised by the SMC at Vanita Vishram ground in Surat.

Giving details about the Rescue Airboat, Surat Chief Fire officer G M Kotwala said, “These unique vehicles are being operated only by the Surat Municipal Corporation. No other body in the country has such craft especially designed for flood rescue operations. The Search and Rescue airboat is 18 feet in length and 8 feet wide. The hull of the boat is made up of aluminium and specially designed for the rescue operation during heavy water-flow. It has seating capacity of maximum 12 to 15 adults and even has a watertight storage equipment compartment.

“The air boat consists of a 400 BHP engine and is also capable of carrying out a wide variety of emergency equipment, used during floods rescue operations. During the previous floods, we could not cross the river, as the current was too strong. The boats failed to operate in the city’s Rander area, which was badly affected by the floods. This vehicle is best suited for carrying out rescue operations even during heavy tides.”

He said the second vehicle is the Advanced Emergency Flood Rescue Van. “The body is well fabricated and has been done keeping in mind the water situation witnessed during the recent floods. The height of the side panels has been increased to allow the van to travel through 5 feet deep water. A telescope is also fitted in the van to allow people sitting inside to view trapped bodies, while a generator fitted in the vehicle would ensure continuous operation even when there is a power-failure,” he said.

The vehicles are also equipped with specialised rescue tools like survival kits, high-pressure pneumatic lifting bags, night-vision binoculars, floating stretchers, line throwing equipment and inflatable emergency lightning systems. There is also a winch on the front bumper of the vehicle, which can pull out a vehicle stranded in the water or can be used for self-recovery.