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LIMA
2015 Online Show Daily - Griffon Hoverwork |
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At
LIMA 2015 Griffon Hoverwok Announces Delivery of BHT 150 Hovercraft
To South Korea |
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During
the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace exhibition, LIMA
2015, currently held in Malaysia, Griffon Hoverwork told Navy Recognition
about the delivery 30.8 meters BHT 150 Hovercraft to the South Korea
Coast Guard. This is the largest hovercraft to be manufactured in the
UK since the 1970s.
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The BHT is the eighth and largest hovercraft the Korea Coast Guard have
ordered from Griffon Hoverwork, following a fleet of four 470TD's and
three 8000TDs, the most recent purchased in 2012 |
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The craft
has a crew of 12 and can carry 188 passengers, in speeds in excess of
40 knots with a 1 m obstacle clearance.
The hovercraft is the most suitable vessel for the water conditions
and environment of the Yellow Sea. The large area of shallow water and
wetland is also liable to freezing in the winter months, making patrol
of the coastline almost impossible with a conventional vessel.
Managaing Director, Adrian Went is 'very proud of my team's achievement,
for winning and delivering an export requirement to a country that is
considered to be one of the World's manufacturing powerhouses. The BHT
150 Hovercraft built for the South Korean Coast Guard is a fantastic
example of British engineering, not only is it the largest craft that
Griffon Hoverwork have built but the largest built in the UK since the
cross channel ferry craft of the 1960s and 70s. It will become a critical
part of the South Korean maritime rescue and security capability'
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Griffon Hoverwork
stand at LIMA 2015
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The new BHT has
two propulsion engines and two lift engines with an endurance range
of up to 300 nautical miles, allowing the Coast Guard to complete long
range duties without returning to base.
The craft will add to the Coast Guard's capabilities allowing it to
patrol shallow water, sand banks and mudflats. It has also been specially
designed to cope with the extreme temperatures that can affect the country,
minimising craft down time.
Many Coast Guard authorities around the World operate Griffon Hoverwork
craft, as their unique capabilities enable Coast Guard crew to perform
their role far better than a conventional craft.
A hovercraft will patrol inland and shallow water areas around coastlines
that are impossible to reach by boat, by simply hovering over mud, rocks
or debris. This also allows the hovercraft to take the most direct route
from A to B rather than being restricted to deep water areas.
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