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Hovercraft News

27 Sep 2022

New Bill Aims to Increase US Federal Funding for Public Ferry Service

© sheilaf2002 / Adobe Stock

A new bill recently introduced by Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) and U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) aims to increase federal funding for public ferry services in the United States.The “Ferry Service Expansion Act” would boost funding for both the Federal Highway Administration’s formula and the Federal Transit Administration’s competitive grant programs to the levels requested by the Public Ferry Coalition, building upon New Federal Investment in Ferry Service under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.Specifically


18 Apr 2022

New Neoteric Hovercraft Powered by Briggs & Stratton

(Image: Briggs & Stratton)

The newest hovercraft from Neoteric Hovercraft Inc. (Neoteric), the Hovertrek II, will be exclusively powered by Briggs & Stratton's Vanguard BIG BLOCK 40.0 Gross HP EFI - Marine engine.Designed for volunteer rescue departments and recreational hovercraft use, the two-passenger Hovertrek II includes side-by-side seating, increased thrust and low weight. The enhanced controllability, storage capacity and low weight of the two-passenger vessel make it an ideal training vehicle for


24 Nov 2021

Griffon Hoverwork Building Three Hovercrafts for Japan

(Photo: Griffon Hoverwork)

Southampton-UK based hovercraft manufacturer Griffon Hoverwork said it has landed one of its biggest ever deals, worth more than £25 million, to supply three of its latest 12000TD craft to Japan.The deal with the Oita Prefecture government will see the hovercraft providing a passenger service connecting Oita Airport in Kunisaki with Oita City, reintroducing a ferry route last used about 10 years ago.Work on the first hovercraft will start at the end of January 2022, with the final craft set to be delivered to the customer before January 2024.

08 Jan 2020

NOx Control: Should Certain Vessels Get a Break?

(Credit: MAN)

When it comes to the EPA’s recent proposed delay to implementation of Tier 4 marine diesel engines ‘in certain high-speed commercial vessels,’ where you stand probably depends on where you sit.On September 6, the U.S. Environmental Protection agency (EPA) proposed to delay implementation of Tier 4 marine diesel engines “in certain high-speed commercial vessels.” Specifically; EPA mentions three kinds of vessels: lobster boats, pilot boats and a third, more open-ended reference to “other high-speed vessels,” possibly including hovercraft.

16 Sep 2019

Air Caster Tech in the Shipyard

The megayacht Cakewalk, built at Derecktor Shipyards’, Bridgeport, Ct., shipyard was launched using air bearings. Photo courtesy AeroGo, Inc.

Like the magic carpet of ancient myth, air caster technology has revolutionized the way in which heavy payloads can be moved in a cost effective and efficient way — floating on air. Developed post-World War II by engineers at General Motors, air casters were later modified and improved for the construction of the iconic Boeing 707 in the early 1960s. Today, used in a host of industries, companies in the maritime industry are employing air casters to handle lifts from mega-yachts to massive hull sections and Z-drives.A PrimerA form of hydraulics that uses air instead of fluid


18 Jul 2019

U.S. Amphibious Group Patrolling Arabian Sea

Flight Ops on the USS Boxer (CREDIT: USN)

Aboard USS BOXER in the Arabian Sea, a U.S. Harrier fighter jet takes off from the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer in the Arabian Sea as an oil tanker passes, a nautical mile away.The patrol is "standard" but the situation - growing tension between the United States and Iran - is not.Soon after the roar of the Harrier fades, two combat helicopters and two unmistakable Osprey aircraft with their tiltable rotors land back on the flight deck."We want to make sure that we assure allies in the region and to ensure freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce


20 May 2019

Griffon Hoverwork Wins New Orders

Photo: Griffon Hoverwork

Southampton, UK-based hovercraft builder Griffon Hoverwork has won two new orders for its latest model the 995ED.The 995ED was launched at the Exponaval maritime exhibition in Chile in December 2018 following delivery of the first production craft to the Malaysian Government’s Marine Department which is being used for the maintenance of navigation marks and light houses. And now Griffon’s production line is busy building another 995ED for a private client for use in icy conditions.

15 Mar 2019

Ingalls Authenticates Keel of LHA 8

The keel laying and authentication ceremony for the America-class amphibious warship USS Bougainville (LHA 8) was held at the Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division (HII),  yesterday (March 14).The ship’s sponsor, Ellyn Dunford, spouse of Gen. Joe Dunford, 19th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, declared the keel "truly and fairly laid" after her initials were welded onto a plate.Traditionally, keel laying marks the first step in ship construction. However, with today’s advanced modular shipbuilding, the keel laying ceremony now recognizes the joining together of a ship’s components and is a major milestone in the ship’s construction.

19 Nov 2018

Griffon Hoverwork to Launch New Model

Photo: Griffon Hoverwork

Griffon Hoverwork will launch  its new 995ED model at  Exponaval in Valparaiso, Chile.“Griffon is hugely excited to unveil the highly innovative 995ED which is specially designed for search and rescue, coastguard and surveying work complementing Griffon’s range of marine grade aluminium hovercraft,” said sales and marketing director Nick MacLeod-Ash. “The 995ED, at eight meters (m) length and 30 knots speed at full ‘all up weight’, is the first hovercraft to achieve certification


16 Oct 2018

Ingalls Begins Building LHA 8 for the US Navy

Paul Bosarge, a burner workleaderman at Ingalls Shipbuilding, starts fabrication of steel for the amphibious assault ship Bougainville (LHA 8). Also pictured (left to right) are Frank Jermyn, Ingalls’ LHA 8 ship program manager; Lance Carnahan, Ingalls’ steel fabrication director; U.S. Marine Corps Capt. J.D. Owens, representing Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Gulf Coast; and Ricky Hathorn, Ingalls’ hull general superintendent. (Photo: Derek Fountain/HII)

U.S. shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced its Ingalls Shipbuilding division started building the next America-class amphibious assault ship for the U.S. Navy, on Monday.The official start of fabrication on Bougainville (LHA 8) signifies that the shipyard is ready for sustained production and ready to move forward with the construction of the 257-meter warship.“The start of Bougainville, our 16th large-deck amphib, allows us to continue the serial production of these great ships,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias.

19 Jun 2017

Ingalls Bags $3 Bln for Bougainville (LHA 8) Build

Construction of the amphibious assault ship Bougainville (LHA 8) is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2018, and delivery is expected in 2024. (Image: HII)

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) said its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been awarded a $3 billion contract for the detail design and construction of the new U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship Bougainville (LHA 8). Ingalls was awarded the original long-lead material contract for the third ship in the America (LHA 6) class on June 30, 2016. “Our shipbuilders do an outstanding job building large-deck amphibious warships,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias said. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2018, and delivery is expected in 2024.

17 Aug 2016

Shipbuilding: P3 Projects (with a Twist)

Credit: Vigor

Private partnerships, executed perfectly – that’s West Coast boatbuilding in today’s challenging business climates. P3 Partnerships: no, we’re not talking about infrastructure funding. But, in our P3 version, boatbuilding in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska is alive and well, because of it. Long-standing enterprises and relative newcomers are all experiencing an uptick in projects. Here, as part of our annual MN100 top company profiles, we take a look at how three organizations have either merged and/or partnered with complementary companies to expand skills


19 Jul 2016

SCIGRIP Transforms Hovercraft Assembly Process

Photo courtesy of Hoverwork

Griffon Hoverwork, a designer and manufacturer of technically advanced hovercrafts, has collaborated with SCIGRIP, the global supplier of smarter adhesive solutions, in the development and production of their latest vessel. The newly completed 12000TD is a 22 meter passenger craft and represents a significant shift in manufacturing techniques for the UK hovercraft company. The 12000TD craft has been specially commissioned by Hovertravel, the world’s longest running commercial hovercraft service that offers the fastest way to cross the Solent between Southsea


11 Jun 2015

Hovercraft Creates Lifeline to Alaska Drill Site

Crowley's hovercraft Arctic Hawk shuttles people and supplies to an Alaskan drill site which became disconnected after the road leading to it was washed out. (Photo: Crowley)

About half a million barrels of oil is extracted each day from Alaska’s Prudhoe Bay oilfields. One of its drilling sites, Endicott, is located on a spit of land connected by the gravel Prudhoe Bay road system and is normally accessible by truck – until recently, when the road was washed out. Faced with the dilemma of how to get workers, food and supplies to the work site, Hilcorp, a privately-held exploration and production companies in the U.S., turned to Crowley and its hovercraft, Arctic Hawk.

12 Jan 2015

Cochin Shipyard Mulls to Build LNG and High-Speed Ships

Indian state owned Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) is in talks with global players to join hands for a bid for the GAIL contract for LNG contained vessels. It also in talks the Australian company Incat for a technical tie-up to manufacture high-speed passenger vessels. CSL is one of the three yards bidding for Gas Authority of India’s tender for building LNG ships in India. CSL is in discussion with global players to join hands for the bid for LNG contained vessels. A Kochi (Cochin)-based company has come up with a design for LNG vessels and the same will also be evaluated, Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said. With the technical tie-up of Australian company Incat, CSL plans to build high-speed vessel.

21 Nov 2014

Seaspan Shipyard's Prompt Response to Canadian Coast Guard

Seaspan Shipyard’s long-standing relationship with the Canadian Coast Guard was proudly showcased in recent days, with simultaneous repair and maintenance work on Coast Guard vessels at all three of the company’s shipyards – Vancouver Drydock, Vancouver Shipyards and Victoria Shipyards. “The role we play as an essential service provider to the Canadian Coast Guard is one that we take great pride in,” said Brian Carter, President, Seaspan Shipyards. In North Vancouver, Vancouver Drydock completed regular maintenance last week on the JP Tully, a 69 metre long Ice Class Oceanographic Survey Vessel, including overhauls to the tail-shaft and thrusters, hull preparation, paint and tank blasting, and re-coating.

14 Oct 2014

Extreme Applications Demand Specialist Small Craft

In a dangerous world, even the largest ship in the world depends on the smallest maritime security and special mission platform. And when it comes to small boat security operations, innovation is the name of the game. With 90% of world trade transported by sea then passing through ports and waterways, no amount of technology will replace the requirement for multiple small fast craft and skilled operators. Finding new ways to share knowledge and best practice has never been more important in the maritime world.

17 Apr 2014

Kvichak-built Hovercraft for Sale

SUNAX (Photo courtexy Kvichak)

The 95’ BHT-150 hovercraft SUNAX, built by Kvichak Marine Industries and owned and operated by Aleutians East Borough, is for sale through public competitive bid. The hovercraft will be sold through a sealed bid process. An IFB package will be available May 15, 2014, copies will be provided upon request. The bid due date is June 10, 2014. The sale includes spare equipment/materials. The hovercraft is available for inspection by interested parties in Akutan, Alaska. Builder . . . . . . . Designer . . . . . . . . Griffon Hoverwork, Ltd. Length (overall) . . . . . . . . . . . Beam (overall) . . .

11 Apr 2014

Quantifying Arctic shipping risk through case studies

diverse environment, knowing how to manage its risks will be crucial. conventional routes. about future developments,” said Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, President DNV GL Maritime. scientific approach to clarify risk levels in the Arctic. carrier transiting the Northern Sea Route. per cent higher than elsewhere, largely due to the survival challenges faced by the people on board. carrier was almost 15 per cent higher because of the danger of collision with ice. risk. all measures aimed at improving survivability in the case of an accident. important measures to manage the risks. Nilssen. local communities and society at large. developed before the harshest ones. a level comparable to those in other parts of the world.

01 Apr 2014

Incoming President Celebrates IMarEST’s 125th Anniversary

Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes at the IMarEST's annual dinner at the Guildhall

Protecting the world and its oceans remains the focus of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) as it celebrates its 125th anniversary, says its new president, Richard Vie, VP Technical Development and Quality Assurance, Corporate Shipbuilding, Carnival Corporation. Addressing more than 400 leading marine professionals from around the world at the IMarEST’s Annual Dinner at London’s Guildhall on Friday, March 28, Vie also called on members to inspire the next generation of marine engineers.

05 Feb 2014

Canadian Coast Guard's Massive Fleet Renewal Underway

CCGS Cygnus: Photo credit Canadian Govt.

As part of the Government's investment in its Coast Guard fleet, Federal Ministers Gail Shea and Rob Moore announce the award of a $1.2 million contract to St. John’s Dockyard Limited for Vessel Life Extension (VLE) and refit work to Canadian Coast Guard vessel 'CCGS Cygnus', . In the unprecedented investment to the Canadian Coast Guard’s fleet renewal program allocated in Economic Action Plan 2012, the Harper Government will extend the lives of sixteen Coast Guard vessels and complete mid-life modernizations on an additional two existing hovercraft over the next 10 years.

07 Jan 2014

A Closer Look at Dynamic Navigation for High Speed Craft

FRC International launched the innovative ‘DYNAV’ dynamic navigation system for high speed craft at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden in October. The DYNAV launch event enabled attendees from Scandinavia and Europe to come together with the objective of improving seafarer safety, operational performance and interoperability on fast craft. Professional sectors organizations included Search & Rescue, Navy, Special Forces, Coast Guard, law enforcement, maritime pilots, maritime legislators, training organisation and boat builders.

28 Nov 2013

New Canadian Coast Guard Hovercraft Arrives

CCGS Moytel: Photo courtesy of Canada Govt.

Canadian Government ministers have announced the arrival in Canada of the new hovercraft to be stationed at Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia – the 'CCGS Moytel'. The new hovercraft will be named the CCGS Moytel. Moytel is a Halq’emélem word meaning “to help each other.” Canadian Coast Guard vessels are given names that promote Canadian sovereignty, culture, geography and history. As a replacement for the CCGS Penac, the new Moytel will be a heavy-duty, more versatile amphibious vehicle capable of patrolling inland waters.

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