Intertidal Hovercraft Hire Services
Hovercraft Operational Training
Training your skippers in safe and effective hovercraft operations.
Under the terms of the Hovercraft Code of Practice, skippers need to be qualified to a standard which allows safe operation of the hovercraft, and possess a good understanding of marine operation - ie SOLAS requirements and collision regulations (COLREGS.)
The standard laid down is for skippers to possess an RYA Powerboat II qualification. This covers basics of safe marine operations, such as passage planning, checking weather predictions, buoyage and rights-of-way. Also covered is general/conventional boating knowledge such as launching and recovery, man overboard drills etc.
Upon completion of this, skippers need 25 hours training and operational experience in an Ultralight hovercraft. Our training schedule covers all aspects of hovercraft operations including the following.
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Hovercraft equipment and personal protective equipment.
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Loading and unloading craft from trailer.
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Basic safety and operation. Covering fans/engines/trips and slips. Prop-wash.
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Pre-flight safety checks.
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Maintaining safety on Slipways and at launch sites.
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Understanding the relationship between load, wind and surface/wave conditions in small hovercraft ops.
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The intertidal areas, safe navigation in a treacherous and unforgiving environment.
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Gradients, surfaces and terrain. How it effects hovercraft.
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Basic control of a small hovercraft on land.
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Control of small hovercraft on water.
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Slow-speed maneuvering, coming alongside, turning in confined areas.
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Instruction on water-starts "getting over the hump" or planing the craft.
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Recognising and dealing with plough-in.
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What to do if it all goes wrong - recovery options, towing, 'riverside' repairs.
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Post operation wash-down and maintenance.
Once again, it must be stated that hovercraft take crew to areas that are basically unaccessible to other vessels. It also takes crew to areas they are almost certainly unfamiliar with, both generally speaking and specifically - the challenges of a new area.
Your crew need to become familiar with mudflats and saltings, beaches and shallow water. There's
On satisfactory completion of training, skippers will be issued a competency certificate and License.
Learning the challenges of intertidal operations is vital!
External factors have more effect on hovercraft performance than any other vehicle. The load carried has a dramatic effect, in combination with surface and wind.