The Ehlanzeni Police Diving Unit obtained a new search and rescue boat yesterday, a Hovercraft, to help find the missing three-year-old, Aqhama Mnconywa.

These boats are imported from the UK and are designed for rescues in muddy and shallow waters, making them perfect for the Crocodile River.

The diving unit went out yesterday and today to the Alkmaar and Karino regions to continue looking for the child.

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The search started upstream and a decision was made to look for a better water craft to help with the search. The unit’s captain, Pottie Potgieter called on Hovercraft Africa to lend the unit a hovercraft to assist with the search.

Captain Potgieter commented that the boat is ideal for their search operation, since the boat is faster and can easily be manoeuvred in the river’s strong rapids. The boat doesn’t have a propeller which makes it easier and safer to retrieve people from the water.

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Tim Dawson, the founder of Hovercraft South Africa described the boat by saying: “You don’t ride, you fly with a Hovercraft.” The vessel can easily slide over rocks and branches which make it feel like you are flying on the water.

The diving unit struggled to go into the river before, because of flooding and the overwhelming numbers of calving hippos and crocodiles.

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It’s been more than two weeks since Aqhama disappeared in the river and the Ehlanzeni Diving Unit continues to find new ways to help find her.