Reports released that all Ryde and Southsea hovercrafts have been indefinitely suspended.
latest-The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has suspended two crafts – Freedom 90 and Island Express – because of safety concerns this evening.
It comes after an investigation on a third craft highlighted inconsistencies in its safety management systems, in particular with vessel maintenance-On Sunday part of a propeller came off Hovertravel's newest hovercraft. No passengers were injured.
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.
(Not Another) Nutkin
