First American-built EPS M10 hovercraft commissioned
On June 15, 2011, the EPS M10 Hovercraft was commissioned as the “Al-Wajh.” Hovercraft Al-Wajh is the first of two to be delivered by EPS Corporation of Tinton Falls, NJ, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Interior Border Guard, Marinelink reported.
The Commissioning Ceremony was held at the Border Guard Base at Aziziyah. In attendance at the commissioning were the Director General of the Saudi Border Guard, St. Maj. General Zamaim J. Al-Swat, the Assistant Director General, Rear Admiral Awwad Eid Al-Balawi, EPS Chairman and CEO, Mr. Francesco A. Musorrafiti, Mr. Peter Troniseck, Special Consultant to EPS and forty Border Guard senior officers. Hovercraft Al-Wajh will join the other Saudi naval units in Saudi’s Eastern Region.
The EPS M10 Hovercraft was built at the company’s facilities in Titusville, Florida. Uniquely designed, the EPS M10 is constructed of non-corrosive, fiber-reinforced advanced composites which are environmentally friendly and provide significant reduction in operating, maintenance, and through-life costs. The EPS M10 Hovercraft is a fully amphibious, air-cushioned vessel that can operate effectively at sea, in shallow waters and over any land surface. It is powered by two 1,000 horsepower diesel engines which provide it with lift and the operation of its propellers, giving speeds in excess of 50 knots. The EPS M10 measures sixty eight feet in length by thirty feet of beam and has an all up weight in the region of thirty-five tons. EPS builds these crafts under a license from ABS Hovercraft Ltd.
The Commissioning Ceremony was held at the Border Guard Base at Aziziyah. In attendance at the commissioning were the Director General of the Saudi Border Guard, St. Maj. General Zamaim J. Al-Swat, the Assistant Director General, Rear Admiral Awwad Eid Al-Balawi, EPS Chairman and CEO, Mr. Francesco A. Musorrafiti, Mr. Peter Troniseck, Special Consultant to EPS and forty Border Guard senior officers. Hovercraft Al-Wajh will join the other Saudi naval units in Saudi’s Eastern Region.
The EPS M10 Hovercraft was built at the company’s facilities in Titusville, Florida. Uniquely designed, the EPS M10 is constructed of non-corrosive, fiber-reinforced advanced composites which are environmentally friendly and provide significant reduction in operating, maintenance, and through-life costs. The EPS M10 Hovercraft is a fully amphibious, air-cushioned vessel that can operate effectively at sea, in shallow waters and over any land surface. It is powered by two 1,000 horsepower diesel engines which provide it with lift and the operation of its propellers, giving speeds in excess of 50 knots. The EPS M10 measures sixty eight feet in length by thirty feet of beam and has an all up weight in the region of thirty-five tons. EPS builds these crafts under a license from ABS Hovercraft Ltd.