As helicopters continue to deliver drinking water and other humanitarian supplies to earthquake-ravaged Haiti, the marines and sailors of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit are preparing a second mode of ship to shore delivery.

The Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) is a hovercraft with a 27 by 67 foot deck capable of holding up to 65 tons.

“Anything that will fit on our deck we can pretty much carry,” Chief Petty Officer Butch Hay said.

Tomorrow, three LCACs aboard the USS Bataan are expected to begin delivering marines, humanitarian supplies and heavy equipment. Crews must first clear the beach of debris to prevent damage to the LCACs’ huge tail rotors.

The hovercraft are stored in the giant “well deck” of the Bataan — one of the Navy’s multi-purpose amphibious assault ships.

When the LCAC’s are ready to leave, the ship pumps water into large tanks to “ballast down.” As the Bataan moves several feet lower in the water, the well deck floods — essentially turning into a dock within the ship. This allows the LCACs to move out into the ocean and begin their mission.

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