One of Hovertravel’s new craft, which is due to come into service later this year, has hovered for the first time and will be seen on the water within the next two weeks.
The cross-Solent operator say that the first of the two craft hovered for the first time last week and this week has been moved out of the engineering shed to have the propellers connected to the engines.
The currently unnamed Hovercraft is due to enter service in the Summer.
Loretta Lale, Hovertravel’s Commercial and Marketing Manager said:
“The first hover for any hovercraft is a highly significant goal and everyone at Hovertravel and Griffon Hoverwork was delighted to be able to reach this major milestone in the build project. The next stage is to prepare the craft to undergo performance testing on the water”.
With the project timings all on schedule, this first craft has been rigorously inspected by both the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Lloyds Register. Following their approval and the provision of a Permit to Operate and Trials Exemption Certificate, the craft can now be tested on the water.
Selina Kefford, Marketing Manager at Griffon Hoverwork added:
“With more than 40 years of experience and having constructed over 170 hovercraft, Griffon Hoverwork has an unrivalled experience in working with this type of vessel.
Article continues below this advertisement “As part of our comprehensive trials/testing process, we will soon be measuring the performance of the craft on the water to ensure it meets with our manufacturing and design parameters”.
Griffon is expected to start conducting these tests within two weeks.
