It has been quite a while since the Coast Guard tried using hovercraft. It may be time to have another look. Here is an interesting video (sales pitch) about how other services are using hovercraft. Many of the users in the video are in areas where ice and snow covered surfaces are common. With the Arctic opening up, there might be a place for these craft there.
The Indian Coast Guard has had some experience with these craft and have decided to triple their fleet to 18 craft.
Not that we would want them everywhere, but perhaps for some environments, they would be just what we need.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
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The Canadian Coast Guard has several large hovercraft in its fleet. The two based in Vancouver B.C. provide SAR to the airport located adjacent to the Fraiser River delta but seem to be fast enough to be useful elsewhere in the region.
http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/eng/Fleet/Vessels?id=1003
http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/eng/Fleet/Vessels?id=1010
http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/eng/Fleet/Vessels?id=1109
http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/eng/Fleet/Vessels?id=1124
The CG had a couple back in the late 60’s early 70’s. They were ex-Navy boats. Didn’t work out too well. One was stationed out of San Francisco, I forget where the other one was.
That was 40 years ago. Hopefully they have made some progress.
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