In 2009 we were a group of about 20 people who made a pilgrimage from France to the 2009 to the Hovershow in England. We spent a very enjoyable long weekend, Saturday at the Hovercraft museum the only place where one can find so many unique machines and memorabilia. Sunday we were priviledged to be shown around Griffin and Hovertravels workshops to get an idea of the modern day operations. Our guide was captain Paul Grant. He fed us all at lunchtime at his home helped by cabin crew member Mike and his wife Anna. Paul must be one of the most experienced pilots around. He has worked all over the world setting up new hovercraft operations. Sierra Leone transporting passengers and freight from Lungi aeroport to the capital Freetown. A 5 hour trip by 4x4, just 20 minutes by hovercraft. Angola, chevron oil fields with a brand new API 88 craft built in Australia under license, called Manta. First of this type to use variable pitch propellers. 3 months in the Gulf of st. Laurance between Rustico, prince edward islands, the Madelene islands, Ile du cap aux meules and Chetecamp. A 250 mile trip having breakfast, lunch and evening meal at these three stops. Very dangerous due to deep seas and strong winds that appear from nowhere. Caspian sea for 14 months. These are the most extreme conditions he has ever operated in and shared his experiences with us ..........
The caspian sea is divided into three sections. The top third is very shallow and accounts for about 1 % of the total volume. This is the part that paul worked in getting down to -45° during the big freeze. Come the thaw passage is very difficult for normal sea going vehicles. The tides were wind generated so there could suddenly be just sand for miles and miles at any time. Not an uncommon site to see grounded ships waiting for the wind to subside and the sea to return. The Russians gave the Caspian back to the Kasaks after the war. They had also drilled for oil and gas and the scars of their presence remained in the area. Abandoned rocket launches and spent shells. Leaking well heads a common sight.
Foreign oil investors were invited by Kazakhastan to invest in oil prospection. Agip were the first to make a substantial find and then subcontracted other major companies. The only solution to their logistic problems were hovercraft. 2 craft were shipped through the volga river to Boutino. Manta and Idun Viking were unloaded and immeadiately confiscated by the authorities. It took 3 months to get them released despite the might of the oil companies. The first day was a 145 mile trip. Progress was slow as Manta had pitch problems. The next day starting at 01:00, with problem resolved, the 800 mile trip to Atyrau was made.
Operating on ice is amazing. Speeds in excess of 80 knotts were easily obtained. Never found the maximum as this would take a very courageous and frankly foolish person to do so. There were obstacles such as moving ice plates that could only go upwards, 40 tons of hovercraft hurtling at such speeds one can only imagine how difficult it would be to stop. The cold posed numerous problems. Wurth diesel antifreeze was frozen solid in their cans. The only efficient window washer fluid was a good quality vodka, it was difficult to keep the reservoir topped up as the crew kept drinking it! Excessive manoevers were made first thing in the morning to free the craft whicht were frozen to the ice. They were promised a proper hanger to make repairs and services, this never materialised. Stops were made to remove ice from props as vibration became so great. Returning with just bow thrusters was not uncommon. An engineer lay down by Manta to inspect the skirt and it took three people to release him from the frozen ground leaving most of his boilersuit stuck to the ice. Conditions were so bad that the drilling rigs would shut down but the hover just kept on going. Paul has now returned to the Isle of weight and resumed passenger transfer to the mainland. We wish to thank him for his hospitality and dedicate this page to him.(PETER)

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