Clutch saves time for hovercraft ferry

These were fitted to Solent Express, Hovertravel’s BHT130 passenger carrying hovercraft which operates between Portsmouth on the English south coast and Ryde, on the Isle of Wight.

Fitted in the shaftline that controls the lifting fans, these clutches are now said to be saving about five minutes on each turn round, enabling the operator to maintain its 30 minute schedule. Previously on embarkation, the lift fan engines needed a three minute run down so the passengers could disembark safely. The new clutches mean that this is no longer necessary and the hovercraft can, in addition, depart more quickly as the lift fans can remain running.

Although still in a development phase, the clutches are proving successful with crews and passengers. The electric clutches are variants of Centa’s standard clutch pack range.