Diamond Days of Hovertravel

This year Hovertravel are celebrating their 60th anniversary. Sara Whatley discovers how this Island business has become a notorious destination for enthusiasts, yet still provides a vital mode of transport for everyday use

The Isle of Wight is famous for many things – including its history, stunning scenery and coastline, dinosaur fossils and fabulous food and drink – but it is also famous for Hovertravel; the world’s longest running commercial hovercraft service, and the only year round scheduled passenger service outside of Japan. 

Hovertravel has been operating since 1965, and this year they are celebrating their 60th anniversary. To mark the occasion Hovertravel has planned a whole host of celebrations including special memorabilia and a collection of passenger memories and certificates for certain trips. “The inaugural flight was on 4th August, and on that day this year we are running anniversary Flight Experiences with a few extra special touches. Seats are available to book now and are expected to sell out fast,” explained Loretta Lale, Head of Marketing and Digital Development, when I spoke to her recently. 

As the craft embarks on its speedy 10-minute journey across the Solent the two great V12 diesel engines power up, the skirt inflates, and the craft rises up. The craft turns gracefully and skims across the water or sand, depending on the tide. 

Through the clamshell doors and into the comfortable 78-seater cabin, the passengers are warm and cosy, luggage tucked safely away, the pilots perched above the cabin ready to fly. It will be another smooth journey as the skirt never rocks, only gently bounces when the weather is rough. 

Passengers look out the large windows of Hovertravel’s two crafts; the Island Flyer, and the Solent Flyer, as the hovercraft skims across the water and in a mere few minutes’ time the skirt deflates again and the passengers disembark on their onward journey. 

“People ask for a longer flight!” explained Loretta. “We aim to keep the scheduled crossings on time and with quick turnarounds for all customers including commuters and school children – usually a 10 minute journey but it can be as quick as seven minutes. However, we now offer Experience Flights which not only include a 20 minute demonstration flight, but also the chance for a question-and-answer session with a pilot and a guided tour of the inside and outside of the hovercraft. We even offer the craft for charters for private events such as weddings and corporate away days.” 

Isle of Wight engineer Sir Christopher Sydney Cockerell (1910-1999) was best known as the inventor of hovercraft. He initially came up with the idea of lifting a craft out of the water by pumping air into a channel around the perimeter of the craft, maintaining a constantly moving current he called a ‘momentum curtain’. He tested his theories withthe help of a vacuum cleaner and two tin cans, and by 1955 he had built a prototype out of balsa wood. 

Unfortunately, no one was interested in taking Cockerell’s design any further and then disaster struck when he approached the British Government to see if they were interested. They were not and put the design on the government’s secrets list, meaning Cockerell could do no more work on it.

In 1958 Cockerell’s hovercraft design was declassified and finally came to fruition. In 1965 Hovertravel was established, operating from Portsmouth to Ryde, Isle of Wight. Since the first day they have taken over 29 million passengers across the Solent, but how have things changed from then to now? “In the 1960s the crafts were hosted by female cabin crew, lovingly referred to at the time as ‘Hoverettes’,” Loretta explained. Dressed in the fashion of the day; with mini skirts and jaunty hats, they showed the passengers to their seats. “The people that work here are passionate about it; we really want to offer a personal service to our passengers. One of our pilots has been here for 45 years, starting as a junior member of beach staff and working up to Pilot and Pilot Instructor.” 

Over the years they have hosted some special guests, such as Dippy the penguin, once a VIP of Seaview Wildlife Park, then retired at Great Yarmouth Sea Life Centre. “He had on a bow tie and high vis jacket as he wandered around the pad, coming right up to the cameras,” laughed Loretta. 

Countless famous bands and musicians have travelled across to music festivals, as well as all the festival goers themselves. David Jason has been on board, as has Penelope Keith of The Good Life and To the Manor Born fame, and recently Peter James. The Olympic Torch has even enjoyed a flight! 

So iconic is the hovercraft that many people use it as a backdrop to launch cars, promote events and help with charity days – “the fire brigade once washed their engines here, and the Bentley Owners Club put their oldest and newest cars next to the craft on the pad,” remembered Loretta. 

“We welcome visitors from Germany, France, Japan – all over the world wanting to see our hovercrafts, as well as TV and media wanting to film here,” said Loretta. But it is also the more local stories that count so much; the patients traveling for treatment to QA Hospital in Portsmouth, the commuters having a smooth crossing every day, the human elements of reliable and quick journeys.

HoverCare is a free service offered to passengers who need an element of extra help during their journey, be that help with carrying luggage, pushing a wheelchair, being dementia-friendly or for those with sight or hearing issues. “Our staff are trained to help and provide assistance where necessary to passengers who are travelling with a disability, including recognising hidden disabilities. We also have a partnership with the NHS for transferring urgent stretcher patients from the Island to the mainland and since 2002 we have transferred over 2000 such patients,” explained Loretta. 

Hovertravel also recently launched their hover green initiative – managing their own waste and repurposing the thick rubber skirt into items such as coasters, keyrings, and handbags. 

What hasn’t changed over the years are the capabilities of the hovercraft – its ability to seamlessly travel across land and sea to maintain an ease of travel unlike any other. No matter if the tide is high or low, Island Flyer and Solent Flyer are able to land directly on the beaches of Ryde and Southsea, allowing the passengers to embark and disembark with ease and carry on their journeys. By attracting visitors from across the UK to experience the unique hovercraft, the Hovertravel team is looking forward to the next 60 years of innovation and growth.