Hoverspeed - company profile and ships

Ally · 06-14-2007, 02:05 PM

Hoverspeed was formed on 25 October 1981 by the amalgamation of Seaspeed (British Rail/Sealink) and Hoverlloyd. Hoverlloyd's Ramsgate-Calais service was closed. Ownership of Hoverspeed p***ed to Sea Containers in 1986. All operations remained with hovercraft until 1990, when the first Seacat arrived. Hovercraft services ceased in October 2000, and the last two craft were moved to the Hovercraft Museum at Lee-on-Solent, with an intention to re-sell. The first Super SeaCat arrived in 2000.

http://www.hoverspeed.com/

Ally · 06-14-2007, 02:08 PM

The ships are now operated under Norfolk Line. Hoverspeed in its previous guise has now ceased trading.

norman · 06-15-2007, 07:56 AM

The two hovercraft were the largest p***enger hovercraft operating. Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose. When Hoverspeed retired the two hovercrafts, they end the Calais to Ostend seacat rout, and diverted the seacats to the Dover Calais route. Have not been around Dover for a long time, so cannot comment on the Hoverspped terminal, but the Calais one is shut up.

Pics are of the two Hovercrafts and sea cat. Ship in the rear is the Regal Princess, now Arthemis.

Norman