The Operation of Hovercraft

Extract

In this paper, which was presented to the Institute at an Ordinary Meeting in London on Wednesday, 14 February, the Managing Director and Chief Operator of Hoverlloyd describes his company's experiences in operating hovercraft across the Channel and its hopes with regard to the 250-passenger SR.N4. The characteristics of hovercraft and their implications for navigation are described.

Cross-Channel operations in SR.N6 hovercraft. In 1965 the Swedish Lloyd and Swedish American shipping groups placed an order for two SR.N4 hovercraft for introduction to the cross-channel route in 1968 and 1969. As a prelude to this service, an order was placed for two SR.N6 machines with which the parent companies intended to operate a pilot service between Ramsgate and Calais during the summer months of 1966 and 1967. These craft were delivered in the spring of 1966 and have now completed two years' activity, not only in the cross-channel field but in all spheres of commercial hovercraft activity.