Hovercraft GH2006 'Princess Margaret'

[John]

Three pictures of the 'Princess Margaret' hovercraft that served on the Dover - Boulogne service. Possibly dated at 1979 - can anyone provide more? I'm guessing this is at Boulogne rather than Dover..

[John]

Or this incident? Looks as if 'Princess Margaret' has sideswiped some obstructions on the pad? Dynamite, acetylene and propane - an interesting mix in a collision 

[John]

British Rail Hovercraft Limited
Dover International Hoverport
Dover CT17 9TG

M. Gondard,
Societe Nationale des Chemins de Francais
Armement Naval
3 rue Ambroise Pare
75010 PARIS

29th September, 1981

INCIDENT OFF BOULOGNE SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER, 1981

You will be aware that on Saturday 12th September, 1981 craft GH 2006 (Princess Margaret) struck and overturned a small boat anchored one mile north of Boulogne Hoverport. Luckily there was only a minor injury to one of the three occupants but the consequences could have been much more serious. This small boat was extremely difficult to see especially as it was raining and quite dark because of a heavily overcast sky, also the radar picture on the hovercraft was adversely affected by the rain.

I would be most grateful if you would notify the Marine Authority at both Calais and Boulogne that it is extremely dangerous for small boats of this type to anchor or manouvre close to and on the approaches to Hoverports and ask them to bring this to the attention of as many small boat owners as possible.

Thank you in anticipation of your cooperation.

Yours sincerely,

(Sgd) Captain D.F. Meredith
Operations Manager

[John]

BRITISH RAIL HOVERCRAFT LIMITED
MEMORANDUM TO THE BOARD 7th January, 1981
OPERATION INCIDENTS IN PERIOD 1.10.80 - 31.12.80

There was one incident in the period. 11 October 80   Craft GH 2006   Captain B. Smith

Returning to Dover from Boulogne on 11th October, 1980 the craft encountered an area of very short steep seas in mid Channel approximately 1.5 miles east of the Colbart Buoy. At 1510 GMT a very heavy impact on the starboard bow caused entensive damage to the secondary structure in way of the forward starboard passenger cabin bulkhead allowing water to enter the cabin. One crew member on the Flight Deck sustained minor injuries, some passengers in the forward starboard cabin were thoroughly soaked and shocked but were otherwise unharmed. Passengers were transferred from the damaged area and the craft continued to Dover without further incident.

The CAA subsequently imposed a restriction on the carriage of passengers in the forward passenger cabins pending modification to both craft, this modification takes the form of a fence type barrier mounted on the forward flare tanks to prevent the bow section of the skirt folding back and damaging the craft structure on contact with large head seas. The modifition was completed and the restriction removed on 30th December, 1980.

The weather conditions prevailing at the time of the incident were as follows: Wind NE 33 knots. Significant sea height 2.5 - 3 metres. These conditions are within the operating limitations of the craft.

There have been several occasions since operation of the mark 3 commenced in July 1978 when the craft has experienced hard structure impact and subsequent damage in weather conditions less than the approved maximum (see Appendix 1) the incident on 11th October being the most serious. These have all occurred on the approaches to either Dover Harbour or Boulogne Hoverport or (as in the incidents on 31.12.78, 14.6.79 and 11.10.80) in certain known areas of the Channel where short steep seas can be expected when a spring tide is in full spate against a strong wind.

When these conditions exist the Captain makes every effort to avoid the known "rogue" areas and in general these efforts are successful. It is almost impossible to avoid them altogether and in these circumstances craft course and speed are adjusted to avoid or minimize impact.

The sea state off the Colbart Buoy on 11th October was much more severe than expected especially as the craft had passed through the same area some 40 minutes previously on passage to Boulogne at that time conditions did not give any cause for concern.

[John]

BRITISH RAIL HOVERCRAFT LIMITED - MEMORANDUM TO THE BOARD

18th June 1980    Craft GH 2006    No Captain

A large coach was being loaded onto the craft by way of the bow ramp because the mobile stern ramps in Dover were out of action. The roof of the coach contacted the roof of the craft causing damage to the primary structure which put the craft out of action for two days. Appropriate action has been taken following the lessons learned from this incident.

[mmitch]

The Hovercraft Museum have both the 'Anne' and 'Margaret' stored at the moment.
http://www.hovercraft-museum.org/n12_25.html
mmitch.

[Pete]

Don't forget you can still get your stomach churned at Southsea over to Ryde . Try it on a blowy day