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British success at Griffon Hoverwork World Hovercraft Championships

The Griffon Hoverwork World Hovercraft Championships took place last week at Towcester Racecourse in Northampton and Team GB took 7 out of the 8 World Titles.

Formula 1: 1st Michele Scanavino (Italy). 2nd Paul Hibbard (GB). 3rd Daniel Turnbull (GB)

Formula 2: 1st Les Bran (GB). 2nd Magnus Ivanoff (Sweden). 3rd Tony Goldney (GB)

Formula 3: 1st Jamie Lewendon (GB). 2nd Ricky Goosey (GB). 3rd David Lovegrove (GB)

Formula S: 1st Chris Barlow (GB). 2nd Alain Larribe (France)

Formula 50: 1st Keith Smallwood (GB). 2nd Nick Drew (GB). 3rd Fabien Santalounge (France)

Formula 35: 1st Bill Baker (GB). 2nd Colin Hales (GB). 3rd Rachel Gifford (GB)

Formula junior: 1st Broni Black (GB). 2nd Voy Bach (GB). 3rd Jaroslav Balaz (Slovakia)

Formula Endurance Race: 1st Team Humbug (Rachel & Matthew Gifford) (GB)

2nd Team BBV Racing (Bill Baker, Rupert Baker & Voy Bach) (GB)

3rd Team Thunder (Owen Ellis, Clinton Buckwell & Ian Bezuidenhout) (Australia)

Despite the bad weather at times, the event was a huge success with lots of the general public attending to watch the races, enjoy the other attractions on offer and see the Griffon 2400TD – recently completed for the Ministry of Defence – that was on display.

To see a video clip of some of the races visit the official World Championships site http://www.whc2010.org.uk/

www.griffonhoverwork.com

Environmentally friendly hovercraft from Griffon Hoverwork

In areas where environmental preservation is crucial, there are huge benefits to operating a Griffon Hoverwork hovercraft over any other type of vessel.

Over the past 30 years there has been a large number of studies of the impact of Griffon models on a variety of natural environments, testing under and over water noise, wash and overland pressure. All of these studies concluded that our hovercraft cause less environmental damage compared to conventional boats.

Blackwell and Greene’s study of the Griffon 2000TD found that it is considerably quieter underwater than similar-sized conventional vessels, as they have an air cushion separating the craft from the water surface and there are no propellers in the water. This reduces the noise pollution and the damage this can cause to wildlife and fragile eco-systems.

In addition, the duration of underwater noise associated with a pass-by of a high speed hovercraft is 10 seconds or less, compared with up to one minute or more for slow moving vehicles.

Airborne noise signatures of the Griffon 8000TD and larger BHT series are just as low, with interior noise levels at about 84.3dB – lower than the noise level of traffic on a busy city road and only slightly higher than a normal conversation (80dB). This is of course far lower than a helicopter, which in many areas is the only alternative to a hovercraft.

A three year research project undertaken in Alaska looked at the impact hovercraft have on fish, small mammals and delicate reef areas. Researchers concluded that there is little to no impact when using a hovercraft, however the propellers of a conventional craft will shred any wild or plant life in its path. Research on a Griffon 2000TD in this region is ongoing.

Excessive wash can, of course, cause erosion to and stir up the bed of shallow water; it therefore follows that any vessel which can minimise this effect is doing less environmental damage. Hovercraft do not just minimise the effects of wash, they virtually totally eliminate it. Unlike conventional boats, hovercraft can traverse shallow water and land on any simple flat surface which is reasonably level, eliminating the need for expensive infrastructure and the materials needed to construct pontoons or jettys. This allows craft to be operated in various locations as and when necessary with almost no upheaval.

Whilst conventional boats have to remain in deep water areas, hovercraft can take the most direct route available, even if this involves crossing sand, shallow water or debris. This makes the journey time far quicker, using a lot less fuel and ensures that the route is as cost effective as possible. There is the added advantage that the Griffon range are made of marine aluminum which can be recycled, whereas other ACV manufacturers use Glass Fibre hulls which cannot be recycled.

Griffon Hoverwork continually undertakes research and development on all craft models to ensure that they are the most up-to-date and environmentally friendly models available on the market. Many of the studies were commissioned by Griffon Hoverwork and were done specifically on the Griffon range.

www.griffonhoverwork.com

Griffon Hoverwork makes waves (and headlines) at HMS Ocean in Brazil

At the beginning of September, Griffon Hoverwork went to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to take part in the defence equipment show on HMS Ocean.

Two of the Royal Marines 2400TD craft were also present. One provided a static display on the flight deck and the other was craned overboard and provided a live demonstration – as shown in the picture above. Head of Market Development, Paul Edwards, attended the event and gave the following interview to The Times newspaper:

“Paul Edwards, of the Griffon hovercraft company, said that there was “considerable potential” in Brazil. Griffon is hoping to sell hovercraft to Brazilian police, air rescue and military. He said that the Royal Navy would help his case. “It is a clear demonstration of UK government support for our company,” he said.”

www.griffonhoverwork.com

Hovercraft For Sale – Second Hand Hovercraft Sales from Griffon Hoverwork

We currently have five hovercraft available for sale.

Four are ex-Royal Marine 2000TDs. Full details and photos of each craft can be provided on request. The craft for sale are as follows:

026 – built in 1993, 2707 craft hours to date
027 – built in 1993, 2412 craft hours to date
028 – built in 1994, 2783 craft hours to date
029 – built in 1995, 2237 craft hours to date, had a new engine in 2005

We also have an ex-charter and demo craft for sale – a 2000TDX MK III built in 2005 with approx. 985 engine hours to date.

All data accurate as of 12th October 2010.

If you would like more information, please email sales@griffonhoverwork.com or phone 02380 423450 and ask to speak to a member of the Sales Team.

www.griffonhoverwork.com

Hovercraft provide vital flood relief in Pakistan

The unprecedented floods in Pakistan, caused by the monsoon rain, are the worst in history according to experts in the area. Thousands of homes and lives have been devastated and the Pakistan Government is continually calling for international aid.

The Pakistan Navy have used their Griffon Hoverwork 2000TDs to provide aid relief to the worst-affected areas. Other than helicopters, hovercraft are the only vehicles capable of accessing remote places as they can hover over obstacles, shallow water, debris and rapids.

The Griffon 2000TD have played such a key role that when the BBC visited the country the report came direct from the hovercraft where Navy officials can be seen distributing food parcels from the craft.

Click on the following link to read the news report in full and watch the video of the hovercraft in action:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11060686

www.griffonhoverwork.com

New 2000TD hovercraft for Peru Navy takes to the water from Griffon Hoverwork

The 2 × 2000TD hovercraft, destined for Peru, took to the water today for the first time at Griffon Hoverwork’s base in Hythe, Southampton.

The hovercraft will be deployed in the northern Amazonian rivers to prevent drug smuggling activities along the Peruvian – Colombian borders. Every Griffon Hoverwork craft is designed specifically to meet the client’s needs, and in this case the craft are configured to carry a combination of troops and logistic equipment. Fitted with Radar, GPS, VHF radio and a thermal imaging system the craft are well equipped to operate on the unchartered shallow waterways.

The craft will be potentially operating in hostile environments, so to offer protection to the crew and troops, both craft will be fitted with armour protection and a GPMG/Gatling (machine gun).

Two officials from the Peruvian Navy will be present to witness the Factory Acceptance Tests and the craft are due to be delivered to Peru before the rainy season starts in October.

www.griffonhoverwork.com

Griffon Hoverwork company congratulates Kassie Young on completing 4 year apprenticeship

Monday 26th July was an exciting day for Kassie Young and all those at Griffon Hoverwork who have worked alongside her since she joined us in December 2007. Since 19 year old Kassie started her apprenticeship, as well as attending college she has worked at Griffon Hoverwork in both Woolston and Hythe, Southampton. During this time she has played an integral role in the construction of hovercraft for the Kuwait Coastguard, Ministry of Defence and Peru Navy, to name just a few.

Mike Chalkley, Engineering Director, presented Kassie with a certificate confirming that she is now a fully qualified welder. Adrian Went, Managing Director of Griffon Hoverwork, said he is delighted with Kassie’s achievement and hopes to celebrate many more young apprentices progress during their time with the company.

This really was a week of celebrations as Griffon Hoverwork announced its latest contract win with the Indian Coastguard and the employees toasted both successes with a glass of champagne last Friday.

www.griffonhoverwork.com

Griffon Hoverwork wins £34 million contract – UK’s largest ever hovercraft contract!

Vince Cable, UK Business Secretary, made the announcement that Griffon Hoverwork has won the £34million contract to supply the Indian Coastguard with twelve 8000TD hovercraft. Speaking from Delhi, where he is part of Prime Minister David Cameron’s party, Mr Cable stated that “this contract is a very significant step for this Southampton-based firm. Patrolling a coastline as long as that of India is a huge challenge and I am delighted that a UK firm has been selected to help the Indian coastguard in this task. I wish the company every success in their future, and hope this partnership leads on to further cooperation.”

This contract is the largest order ever for UK hovercraft and provides some 3 years of work for the company, including extensive training both in the UK and India, where their product support distributor MSC Mumbai will deliver a full spares/maintenance programme.

The 8000TD is a popular craft for Coastguard operations, as it can be configured to carry passengers, vehicles and equipment for disaster relief or medical evacuation. At 21.3m in length and with a payload of 8 tonnes, it can reach speeds of 45 knots and is powered by two Iveco diesel engines.

The Indian Coastguard acquired six 8000TDs in 2001, pictured above, two of which were built at Griffon Hoverwork’s UK premises and four in Calcutta.

The craft proposed by Griffon Hoverwork are an upgraded version of the Indian Coast Guard’s existing fleet, but with several enhancements thanks to design and technology improvements and the research invested by Griffon Hoverwork in product development.

Due to the benefits these craft have brought to the Indian Coastguard’s capabilities, a tender was announced in November 2009 for the procurement of another 12 hovercraft. Griffon Hoverwork prepared a bid, which was submitted on Christmas Eve 2009, and the process of negotiation was successfully brought to its final stages last week.

Other customers of the Griffon 8000TD include the Saudi and Kuwait Coastguards, for whom the hovercraft is a vital asset to border patrol and policing shallow water areas.

The company hopes to clinch other contracts in India, providing more employment in both countries.

www.griffonhoverwork.com