Hovertravel service suspended.

[bnm]

The hovercraft service between Southsea and Ryde IOW has been suspended due to safety concerns.

Hovertravel Ltd Statement: 18 November 2011 Hovertravel can confirm that they have suspended hovercraft services with effect from 18:00 today Friday 18th November. Following an issue with a propeller on the Solent Express Hovercraft on 30th October, further safety checks are to be undertaken to ensure the continued safety of Hovertravel's fleet. Hovertravel is working with the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), the regulatory authority, and hopes to restore a full service as soon as possible. It is important to stress that the current fleet of hovercraft are different models to the one in service on 30th October. As a mandatory measure we are required to ensure the integrity of all our operating systems in conjunction with the MCA. The entire matter revolves around ensuring the safety of our operation. The safety of customers, crew & hovercraft are of paramount importance and Hovertravel are working with the MCA continually throughout this evening and the weekend to ensure the capability of the craft before they are returned to service. This will involve working through a number of further checks now being implemented to ensure that not only the MCA, but Hovertravel are fully satisfied that our craft are safe to operate. We are confident that with the support of the entire Hovertravel team, and the MCA we will complete this process as quickly as we can. We are currently working with Wightlink to accommodate our passengers who are already booked, to ensure they are able to cross the Solent this evening. We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience this matter has caused our passengers, and are grateful for their understanding. We will update our website www.hovertravel.com, and our terminal staff will be on duty as normal throughout the weekend to assist and update this situation. It must be stressed we will only commence operations when Hovertravel and the MCA are entirely satisfied.

http://www.hovertravel.co.uk/service-status.php

 

[Lrd]

Apparently the "propeller" snapped off and the craft became stranded at sea. Wasn't aware hovercraft have propellers.

 

[jamesontheroad]

Apparently the "propeller" snapped off and the craft became stranded at sea. Wasn't aware hovercraft have propellers.

Surely they do - but an enclosed aeroplane propellor to generate thrust with airflow, rather than a submerged one to generate thrust with water?

 

[westcoaster]

More info and pics here, http://ventnorblog.com/2011/10/31/hover-loses-propeller-shaft-mid-journey/

 

[BestWestern]

They most certainly do have propellers! That's what the two large encased round things are at the back, they work in the same way that an aeroplane prop works, powering the craft forwards. As a hovercraft is an aircraft and 'hovers' above the water, this is the only method of propulsion available.

Anyway, as to the safety issues. The craft concerned was the operation's only 'new' hovercraft, the remainder of the fleet being significantly older. The statement above says that the type of craft involved in the incident on Oct 30th is 'different' to the craft now is use, so presumably it has been grounded since with the older craft continuing in operation. However it's interesting that the decision has now been taken to remove the whole lot from service, which would imply that this may be a fleet-wide maintenance standards issue rather than an inherent defect with the newer craft. Unless of course it concerns a common component shared between both designs, but I would think that unlikely considering the age gap. If that was the case though, I wonder whether other fleets running the older type of craft, of which there are several variants worldwide, are also taking precautions. Hmm, a mystery indeed!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

No big mystery; there are some parts common to the AP1-88 and the BHT130. Drive shafts are pretty much a standard design; the statement reads like they are carrying out precautionary checks on a "just in case" basis which seems sensible to me.

Take my word for it, the people who run Hovertravel and their associated company Griffon Hoverwork are very knowledgable and experienced and they really do know what they are doing.

One hopes that this is resolved quickly and services can resume.

 

[BestWestern]

Let's hope so, the hovercraft operation is a gem!

 

[Schnellzug]

Looks like a universal joint came off, that's what I'd say.

One prime example of typical hysterical idiocy in the comments (and naturally, given three thumbs up by the usual "Why won't the tell us the truth?" hysterical fools); "In fact, it is more reason to know exactly what happened. Or do we need to wait for a death before we ask questions?"

moron.

 

[ChrisCooper]

Apparently the service resumed yesterday after checks showed their were no maintenance issues with the fleet.

 

[BestWestern]

That's good news

As a slight aside, I'm curious as to the fate of some of Hovertravel's former craft. Before the new one arrived, they had a fleet of three; Freedom 90, Double 'o' Seven and Island Express. There was also for a time another craft, not in fleet livery, named Courier I believe. Two of the previous three in the main fleet are still going, so what has happened to the other pair? There can't be much demand for them second hand surely, although they are an 'off the peg' model to a degree; I guess maybe broken up for spares?

Any thoughts?!

 

[ChrisCooper]

I think the smallest one, possibly Freedom 90, was withdrawn. Not sure what happened to it. I think it was bought by the company who wanted to run a Hovercraft across the Fourth, but I'm not sure what came of that.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

You could try asking on the Hover-Gen Yahoogroup?

Freedom 90 was the first 1-88 to be refurbished with more powerful engines making it capable of matching the speed of the SRN-4s wasn't it? I went on it shortly after that refurbishment on a Hovercraft Museum fundraising charter to alum Bay and back.

At least I think it's that one, from memory.

 

[Schnellzug]

yes, two of them were re-engined with MTU engines, I believe. I think they were sol;d for further service in Estonia, or Africa, or somewhere like that.

 

[william]

Two IOW hovercrafts went to Freetown, Sierra Leone. One apparantly sank, the other is currently mothballed on the beach in Man O War Bay. I believe they were intended to be used for airport shuttles, the airport being located on the other side of the estuary.
This service is now operated by ex military Russian helicopters.
If you want to be involved in an air or shipping disaster, visit Africa.

I have a picture of one of the hovercrafts......

 

[Brucey]

As a slight aside, I'm curious as to the fate of some of Hovertravel's former craft. Before the new one arrived, they had a fleet of three; Freedom 90, Double 'o' Seven and Island Express.

Double o seven left the fleet many years ago (probably around 2003/2004).

I thought that Freedom 90 was still around but not often used in passenger service.

 

[westcoaster]

A quick goggle through up this, the nearly sinking http://news.sl/drwebsite/exec/view.cgi?archive=4&num=6976, a pic of it submerrged here http://sandralako.blogspot.com/2007/11/sinking-hovercraft.html , and now a nr style hovercraft http://www.sierraexpressmedia.com/archives/25812. The new operators site http://www.helog-global.com/en/menu_main/boxnewsshow1-hovercraft

 

[william]

Wow, that's new.

 

[BestWestern]

Wow indeed, I wouldn't have guessed at that it's fate!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I think you will find that Freedom 90 is the craft which was first back into service between Southsea and Ryde on Monday...

Island Express is the other craft currently in service.

Solent Express is at Woolston for repairs.

( Source: the Hover-Gen Yahoogroup tonight )

 

[BestWestern]

I think you will find that Freedom 90 is the craft which was first back into service between Southsea and Ryde on Monday...

Island Express is the other craft currently in service.

Solent Express is at Woolston for repairs.

( Source: the Hover-Gen Yahoogroup tonight )

So the one that almost sank in foreign parts must be Double 'o' Seven then? 'Courier' didn't carry the proper HT livery I don't think.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I can't remember which one got a bit wet offhand, but it was recovered and restored to use if I remember rightly.

 

[BestWestern]

I can't remember which one got a bit wet offhand, but it was recovered and restored to use if I remember rightly.

Certainly wetter than usual! The interesting links posted somewhere above bring up a couple of shots, one of it sitting a*se-down in the sea and one of it looking very sorry sat on the beach, and it's definitely one of the three, as it was still in full HT livery, albeit with different names. So I guess it must've been that one, if the other two are still on the Solent. Newer pics I found show it now refurbished and painted allover canary yellow!