Hayling Life Boat Hovercraft Trials

- Wed 6th Oct 2004

HOVERCRAFT TRIALS

‘Over the past three years, the RNLI has been investigating areas of the British coastline which could benefit from the specialist capabilities of an Inshore Rescue Hovercraft. Areas where conventional lifeboats meet difficulties due to shallow water and wide tidal mud flats have been reviewed and one such area is the inland waters of Chichester, Portsmouth and Langstone harbours.



‘However, after a careful review of the research so far carried out, the RNLI has reached the conclusion that existing lifeboats, together with other rescue services, currently provide appropriate cover for this area of coastline.



‘We have therefore suspended plans to proceed with the project and local hovercraft trials will no longer be pursued at this time.’



Nigel F. Roper

Lifeboat Operations Manager

By forum user, Bruce_Bennett