Held at University College London
on 18th April 1989
by The Hovercraft Society
This conference gathered key players involved in design and production as well as operations of hovercraft in remote areas and for rescue duties and SES for harbour firefighting. The material has been digitised from a hard copy of the transactions of this seminar edited by B R Clayton, and B J Russell. The materials and papers are as detailed in the listing after the overview. Click on the titles to access the materials as pdf documents from THS electronic library.
Some additional images that relate to craft and operations covered in the Seminar are included at the end of this page. They are from THS Archive materials and located by the Technical Secretary on the internet.
Overview
This Conference presented a total of 8 papers covering design expertise and operational experience with Hovercraft for service in remote environments and for rescue services.
Larger craft operations such as those in the Canadian Coastguard Service are described by Ron Wade. Medium size craft in remote operations are covered by John Gifford and Mike Pinder. The potential for smaller craft for individual rescue are covered by Brian Russell. Additionally, service in challenging roles such as the expeditions lead by Squadron Leader Mike Cole are summarised, and developments by the Missionary Aviation Fellowship by Tim Longley.
The development and operations of Surface Effect Ships for harbour fire fighting and emergency services are described in a paper by Ted Tattersall of Hovermarine.
At the time of this conference hovercraft and SES had established themselves as valuable assets for rescue and emergency services, and the focus was moving from establishment of a new technology to building a recognised reliable niche in the market for such services worldwide.
Mike Cole was at this time in the final stages of his preparation for the mission to China for a child vaccination programme sponsored by UNICEF and expedition along the Yangtze river upper reaches to its source. The full story of this expedition can be found in the book ‘To the Source of the Yangtze’ by Dick Bell. Go to our books page for more detail on this.
Paper 1: Operational Experience of Hovercraft in the Canadian Coastguard
R G Wade, ACV Engineering, Canadian Coastguard, Ottawa, Canada
Paper 2: The Rubber Solution
M A Pinder, Skima Hovercraft Ltd, Warsash, UK
Paper 3: The Hover doctor service 1978-1989: 12 years of adventure with a purpose
M Cole, British Hovercraft Expedition to China
Paper 4: The Hovermarine SES Firefighting and Multipurpose Harbour Service Craft
E G Tattersall, Director Consultant to Hovermarine International Ltd, UK
Paper 5: Engineering Hovercraft for Remote Areas
J G Gifford, Griffon Hovercraft Ltd, UK
Paper 6: Small Hovercraft Potential
B J Russell, AERE Haslar, Gosport, Hampshire, UK (also Chairman, The Hovercraft Society)
Paper 7: Appropriate Technology Hovercraft
T J R Longley, Herbert Pool Ltd, Fleet, Hampshire, UK
Paper 8: RAF Volunteer Rescue Squadron
D M Jamieson
Left, an SRN6 of the Canadian Coastguard based in Vancouver at English Bay beach. The image is courtesy Jameshovercraft.com, submitted by Paul Brett. He gives some personal insights about CCG operations that can be seen here. Thanks to both James and Paul.
Right an image of CCG AP1-88 on some very smooth ice close to Montreal. Courtesy CCG.
Above two views of the Hovermarine 221 Fireboats at Tacoma. Left is an early picture when the craft still had the central long spray boom installed, while at right a view of fireboat ‘Commencement’ testing its water cannons. This last is from Flikr, posted by M S Hennessy, who also gives some background here. Many thanks to M S Hennessy.
Above, two images of River Rover craft operating on the Kali Gandaki River during Mike Cole’s expedition to Nepal. A truly extreme enterprise. Go to the books page and find the book ‘Journey to the Fourth World’ for a full account. The book can stil be found on Amazon and other internet booksellers.
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