Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 12, 1990 TAG: 9004110248
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: MCCOY LENGTH: Medium
"It was about 12 to 14 degrees and their boat had blown away," Combs said.
The hunters eventually attracted the attention of someone on shore and the rescue squad, with a boat "and a lot of skill," retrieved them.
"We could have used this thing then," Combs said Sunday, pointing at the strange craft out on the river.
The "thing" Combs was pointing at was something called a Hoverguard Air-Cushion Rescue Vehicle. He was among 20 or so rescue workers from all over the New River Valley who was there Sunday to watch a two-hour demonstration of the craft. They were joined by reporters and dozens of curious onlookers.
The demonstration was held at McCoy Falls because it has been the site of most drownings in the New River over the years. It is an area where people - especially Radford University and Virginia Tech students - lounge on the rocks.
"This is a very dangerous strip," Combs said. "This is about as rough water as we've got."
Bernard LaFleur of Hover Advertising in Draper, which sells the Hoverguard, said the craft looks like a boat but acts more like a helicopter because it never touches the water. It floats atop an 8-inch cushion of air.
Standing in the small craft, LaFleur started the engine and revved it like a motorcycle while clutching the handlebars.
There were "oohs" and "ahhs" as the fire-engine-red Hoverguard squealed to full power, lurched off its trailer and plopped into the water, bouncing twice before lifting atop the surface and kicking up a cloud of mist.
It spun in circles, it slid sideways and backwards, it zipped at about 45 mph on the smooth water and then slowly crept upstream through the rapids. LaFleur weaved in and around rocks and even drove over a few smaller ones.
"Let's get one," said one rescue worker. "Maybe chief will get us one," said another.
But after LaFleur had ridden back onto the shore and parked the craft, many of the rescue workers admitted that a Hoverguard wasn't really practical.
"We could probably use something like that. But we'd probably use it once a year. The big thing is the cost. You've got to weigh the cost," Combs said.
A Hoverguard's price is about $11,000 out of the factory and about $15,000 with rescue equipment and a trailer.
Don Smith, a 23-year veteran of the Pulaski Rescue Squad who is with the Radford Rescue Squad now, said he was impressed and surprised by the demonstration.
"It's a good craft and it would help us," Smith said. "But like the rest of the state, the dollar just isn't available for rescue equipment . . . It's hard to justify [buying] it, especially if you don't use it on a daily basis."
Rodney Freeman of the Giles County Rescue Squad said it might be more practical for several rescue squads to chip in to buy a Hoverguard and keep it at a central location. "But we haven't talked about that. This is the first we've seen it," Freeman said.
Before the demonstration, LaFleur told how the craft can be used in river rescues. He said it's unique and versatile because it can hover over water, land, snow and ice.
"Remember, you're floating on a cushion of air. It's the smoothest ride you'll ever have," LaFleur said, revving the engine.
He said the craft can remain stable and stationary during rescue operations. And there are no moving parts or propellers beneath it, which makes it safe for pulling people out of the water or ice.
by CNB