New code of practice for hovercraft leads to maritime safety award win

by Samantha Sinclair on 14 May 2016 An innovative new Code of Practice for small hovercraft produced in partnership with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has led to a RINA Maritime Safety Award for the Hovercraft Manufacturers Association (HMA) and Griffon Hoverwork.

Awarded last month, the Royal Institution of Naval Architects Naval (RINA) award recognises the importance of the Code of Practice and the work achieved by the Hovercraft industry, which has been welcomed by the MCA.

The Code of Practice is aimed at the manufacturers, owners and operators of Small Hovercraft and was published in December 2015. It was the result of many years of partnership working with the Hovercraft Manufacturers Association (HMA), The British Hovercraft Company, Griffon Hovercraft and other Hovercraft sector stakeholders including the RNLI, Lloyds, The Hovercraft Cruising Club, The Hovercraft Club of Great Britain and commercial operators.

Previously, small commercial hovercraft have been required to comply with High Speed Craft regulations and standards, more suited to conventional high speed vessels. Recognising the unique operating characteristics of hovercraft, the new Code sets standards that are more appropriate for the specific design and operational features of small, light and ultralight hovercraft. It is hoped that the Code will help owners and operators promote and utilise hovercraft certified to the Code, thereby allowing their unique operating characteristics to be used for a wide range of commercial marine applications for which they are well-suited.

Stuart Hannam, Principal Policy Lead for High speed craft and Hovercraft for the MCA said; ‘The Hovercraft Code is a great example of partnership working between industry and the MCA which has resulted in a Code of Practice and the required regulatory space to allow the growth in the use of Hovercraft commercially whilst ensuring high, relevant technical and safety standards are maintained.

Furthermore, we’re absolutely delighted that the HMA and Griffon Hoverwork have had their hard work recognised by the RINA Maritime Safety Award. Since the new code was published we have already started experiencing a growth in enquiries about the certification of hovercraft and hope to see the first fully Coded Small hovercraft certified in the near future.’

Russ Pullen, secretary of the Hovercraft Manufacturers Association said: ‘The Hovercraft Code of Practice is probably the most significant step forward in the UK small hovercraft industry since the 1960s. Quite simply, it allows small hovercraft access to the commercial market and encourages development and safety in equal measures by the fact that it has been written by the industry with relevant experience and knowledge.

The British Hovercraft Company has already seen a huge surge of interest from ecological and survey companies, and we have started offering small hovercraft out on a rental basis for specific work. Meanwhile, at least two other countries are looking closely at the code with an eye to adopting it which will certainly assist UK manufacturers in making sales overseas.

‘It was a huge surprise and honour to the Hovercraft Manufacturers Association that the Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA) awarded them the Marine Safety Award last month, which Mark Downer of Griffon Hoverworks and I jointly accepted the award on behalf of the organisation.’

The Code is published online here.

Further guidance and the Codes supporting general exemption from High Speed Craft Regulations and the Hovercraft (General) Order 1972 can be found in Marine Guidance Note MGN 542(M).