Multi-purpose WIG craft

A team of Russian developers has been working on the creation of a multipurpose sea-going ekranoplan, (the Russian name for a Wing-In-Ground-Effect craft, or WIG) which they say could contribute significantly to the speed of seaborne traffic and Search and Rescue response times.

Could this WIG craft see service in SAR roles?

A team of Russian developers has been working on the creation of a multipurpose sea-going ekranoplan, (the Russian name for a Wing-In-Ground-Effect craft, or WIG) which they say could contribute significantly to the speed of seaborne traffic and Search and Rescue response times.