Great Days Out

Tourist passenger hovercraft tours coming to Plymouth (news)

12th June 2009

Visitors to the Barbican will be able to ride on the only tourist passenger hovercraft operating in Europe when a new venture launches this month.

Tiger Hover Tours is bringing the bright yellow and grey craft to Plymouth and will launch its daily trips from the Barbican Landing Stage on June 13.

The arrival of the craft will also coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first cross-Channel hovercraft crossing.

Previously Tiger Hover Tours operated the hovercraft as a rental facility for tourists in Wales and the North West area of the UK.

It also operated out of London and, in 2006, became the first speed boat company to launch in the capital.

But the business’ owner, Paul Gaughan, said he was looking at operating the hovercraft business from a permanent base.

“The hovercraft is a unique bit of kit and we scoured the country looking for the best location in which to operate it,” he said.

“We just felt that Plymouth was perfect for it. The breakwater keeps conditions fairly calm and perfect to operate the hovercraft.

“We just consider Plymouth to be the best location in the country and we are delighted to be launching here.”

The 10m by 5m Tiger 12 Hovercraft is the only coastguard-approved passenger carrying hovercraft of its type in Europe.

It can seat 10 passengers and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 35 knots (more than 40mph).

It is fully amphibious allowing the transition from sea to land in areas that are not accessible to other craft.

Hovercraft ride on a bed of air and do not disturb the ground or produce wash on the water, making them environmentally sound.

As well as around Plymouth Sound, passengers will be able to blast up the River Plym where no other vessel can go and travel over mud and sand – as well as water.

George Skinner, chairman of Maritime Plymouth, said: “The hovercraft will definitely prove a hit with people in Plymouth.

“It will help to encourage people to get out on the water.”

The first flight is on June 13, starting from 10am, every hour from the Barbican landing stage.

You can buy tickets on 0870 766 9125, on the day at the tourist office in the Barbican or on www.tigerhovertours.co.uk

You can also book on the day from one of the shore staff with yellow baseball hats and yellow polo shirts.

Click here to watch a video of the hovercraft in action.

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