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Published:
July 16, 2006
Coastguards
called out after commercial hovercraft hits problems
A commercial hovercraft being tested in Burnham-On-Sea had to
be rescued after suffering engine problems on Saturday afternoon
(July 15th).
The
Canadian craft - which is not connected to Burnham's rescue hovercraft
operation - was being trialled by an Exmouth company ahead of
a new commercial service being launched on the South Coast later
this year.
However,
the machine, with two people onboard, could not find enough power
to manoeuvre over the steep mud banks of Bridgwater Bay at low
tide and Coastguards were called to ensure it got back to the
safety of the beach. A 4x4 Land Rover was used to tow the craft
up the beach from the bottom of the estuary.
Lew
Atkins of Canhover, the company that makes the machine, told Burnham-On-Sea.com:
"The vehicle only arrived in the UK from America last week
and has not been used for a while so the fuel had been sitting
still in the craft's fuel tanks for some time. This was the cause
of the problems. We have every confidence it will be up and running
to its full capability soon."
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