Page 50: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (January 2017)

PHOTOS:

Left: The MAN D2862 LE124 is actually used for agricul- tural engineering. Griffon Hovercraft now meet the cur- rent emission standards for marine applications.

PROPULSION

Right: Since summer 2016, the Solent Flyer and Island

Flyer have been carrying passengers across the Solent. (© MAN) (© Griffon Hoverwork)

MAN D&T

Innovative Hovercraft Drive

In April 2016 Griffon Hoverwork ? nished Solent various minor modi? cations, the special feature

Flyer and Island Flyer, a pair of amphibious craft, of the power units – which are actually used on 12000TD models, for ferry company Hovertravel, the land – is that they comply with the MARPOL which were built to replace the 30-year-old AP- regulations for the shipping industry,” said An- 188 models at the beginning of summer 2016. drew Mellard, General Manager of MAN Engines

The older models were equipped with four en- & Components in the UK. The hovercraft engines gines, as is customary in conventional hovercraft. need to meet this standard because they are used at

But courtesy of an innovative new drive system, sea in the U.K. as passenger ferries. The ferry com- the 2000TD model hovercraft require only two pany Hovertravel Ltd. is the ? rst to use hovercraft power units, a major step in cutting fuel con- of this type in a commercial context. The models, sumption by approximately one-third. which are to be replaced in the future, cross the

The double-engine system is comprised of a pair Solent in the south-west of the UK over 70 times a of MAN D2862 LE124, enableing the hovercraft day and carry both commuters and tourists across to draw upon 1,586 kW (2,158 hp), enabling a top the strait.

speed of 50 knots (92.6 km/h). The new amphibious vehicles were designed and

The 12-cylinder units are the heart of an inno- produced for the ferry service by the sister com- vative drive package. The drive has been con? g- pany Griffon Hoverwork. Thanks to the new drive ured speci? cally for this very use, which is why design for the Solent Flyer and the Island Flyer, the development departments of the Marine and there is now a considerable potential for fuel sav-

Off-Road market segments worked together on the ings. The 12000TD models began a phased in- project in the MAN International Engine Compe- troduction in the summer of 2016 and have been tence Center in Nuremberg, Germany. Together transporting passengers more comfortably and they developed modi? cations to the engine in order more importantly, much more ef? ciently from to be able to meet the challenges of a hovercraft. Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight. In one trip across “With the D2862 LE124 we have deliberately the strait, the hovercraft can carry up to 88 people, chosen engines used for agricultural engineering including the crew, meaning that the hovercraft because they are lighter and are radiator cooled. can cater for three times the capacity of an average

This is important because with a hovercraft you do city bus.

not come into direct contact with the water there- fore it is not possible to use the typical water cool- Fuel Savings ing system used for marine engines. In addition to With a 793 kW (1,079 hp) output at 1,800 rpm

Powertrain of the Hovercrafts

Solent Flyer and

Island Flyer. (© Griffon Hoverwork) 50 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • JANUARY 2017

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