Great Western Coffee Shop

HOVERTRAVEL OPERATIONS SUSPENDED

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has suspended Hovertravels ISM Document of Compliance which allows them to operate. The effect of this is that their hovercraft Freedom 90 and Island Express cannot operate.

We have taken this action because of safety concerns following an investigation into a propeller failure that occurred on a third craft which highlighted inconsistencies in their safety management systems, particularly with vessel maintenance.

Richard Pellew, Maritime and Coastguard Agency Area Operations Manager for the South East said:
We are working closely with Hovertravel and the propeller manufacturers to investigate the circumstances around the propeller failure.

Hovertravels management team has responded positively to our concerns and we will be working with them over the weekend to resolve the issues so these hovercraft can return to service as soon as possible.

Hovertravel Ltd Statement: 18 November 2011 Hovertravel can confirm that they have suspended hovercraft services with effect from 18:00 today Friday 18th November. Following an issue with a propeller on the Solent Express Hovercraft on 30th October, further safety checks are to be undertaken to ensure the continued safety of Hovertravel's fleet. Hovertravel is working with the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), the regulatory authority, and hopes to restore a full service as soon as possible. It is important to stress that the current fleet of hovercraft are different models to the one in service on 30th October. As a mandatory measure we are required to ensure the integrity of all our operating systems in conjunction with the MCA. The entire matter revolves around ensuring the safety of our operation. The safety of customers, crew & hovercraft are of paramount importance and Hovertravel are working with the MCA continually throughout this evening and the weekend to ensure the capability of the craft before they are returned to service. This will involve working through a number of further checks now being implemented to ensure that not only the MCA, but Hovertravel are fully satisfied that our craft are safe to operate. We are confident that with the support of the entire Hovertravel team, and the MCA we will complete this process as quickly as we can. We are currently working with Wightlink to accommodate our passengers who are already booked, to ensure they are able to cross the Solent this evening. We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience this matter has caused our passengers, and are grateful for their understanding. We will update our website www.hovertravel.com, and our terminal staff will be on duty as normal throughout the weekend to assist and update this situation. It must be stressed we will only commence operations when Hovertravel and the MCA are entirely satisfied.

Dear Customers

I am pleased to inform you that Hovertravel services between Ryde and Southsea have recommenced.  This follows a thorough inspection of the propellers on the entire fleet of hovercraft, and full certification of the vessels' safety and compliance with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) regulations.  I would like to thank all of our customers for your patience and support during this difficult time.

The service was temporarily suspended last Friday (18th November), following an incident on 30th October involving the propeller on the largest hovercraft in the company's fleet.  Over the weekend both Hovertravel and the MCA have inspected the other two operating hovercraft, which are of a different design and type, to ensure their continued safety and compliance to operate.

The safety of our passengers, staff and vessels is of paramount importance to us.  Hovertravel has operated for many decades with an outstanding safety record and clearly puts safety as the number one priority.  I know that the decision to suspend our services completely has caused significant inconvenience to all of our customers and I can only apologise to you, personally, for that disruption.   There was no question of us operating until both the company and our regulatory authority, the MCA, were completely satisfied with our safety compliance.

Hovertravel is a long standing and familiar part of the Solent, operating for over forty years and  my team and I are now looking forward to getting back to doing what we do best, operating the fastest link between the mainland and the Isle of Wight.

We will be operating a temporary revised timetable using one hovercraft, until the second hovercraft is serviceable, following the propellers being refitted.  Services will run every 30 minutes during peak commuter times and every hour at other times.  Please see our timetable at www.hovertravel.com.   Please note the hoverbus will continue to run to the usual timetable.

Due to running only one craft, during commuter times you may experience longer waiting times than usual.  Therefore we will be happy to provide free of charge vouchers to Season/Travel Card & prepaid ticket holders to enable your travel on the Wightlink Catamaran service, if you would prefer this option.  These vouchers are available from staff at our terminals only.

Finally thank you for all of the kind messages of support we have received and we look forward to resuming the full timetable with both crafts as soon as possible.

Regards

Neil Chapman

Managing Director