04/13/2006: "Canadian CG Hovercraft May Aid SJC"

The Canadian Coast Guard has offered -at no charge- to make hovercraft landings on San Juan County beaches as part of an emergency response drill. Brendan Cowan, of SJC Department of Emergency Management, said he hoped to have landings on Orcas, Lopez and San Juan Island, but that SJ may be dropped if Jackson Beach cannot be used. The intent of the exercise is to have a practice session in off-loading equipment and supplies, and evacuating the "injured".

Turns out that Jackson Beach, which is owned by the Port of Friday Harbor, does not have the proper land use designation to allow beach landings -although the beach, or indeed any beach, could be used in an actual emergency. As for other areas that could be used, Cowan said that the county road end that goes to the water at American Camp was too far from town to have all of the equipment, and first responders who would take part in the drill, to travel for an exercise. As for other areas, he said due to the noise and congestion that it would generate, he did not want to bring the hovercraft into Friday Harbor for a drill.

The Canadian hovercraft can arrive from Canada within an hour, to an hour and a half, and can not only land on a beach, but according to Cowan they can simply pass over the logs and debris that are common on the beach. There are two types that can be made available, one is passenger only, and the other can load and transport vehicles and people, is 100 feet long and travels at speeds of up to 50 knots.

If necessary permits can be obtained, the drill is scheduled to take place on April 29th.