Services are cancelled due to adverse weather. The next update will be 05.45 tomorrow 09/12/24. Tickets will be accepted on the Wightlink Fast Cat Service. –Please see our Disruption Contingency Plan web page.

People being filmed in front of a hovercraft

History

Hovertravel, the only scheduled hovercraft operator in the world, was launched in 1965 and is the fastest Isle of Wight ferry service across the Solent. It is also the world’s longest running commercial hovercraft operator.

Hovertravel is a very environmentally friendly way to travel quickly between the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth. Our 12000TD craft, using the most modern mechanical innovations and technology found in a hovercraft today, can carry 12 tonnes of payload over 1.5 meters above the surface. There is no displacement of craft weight in the water and the hull is not in contact meaning marine life are left alone to their own devices.

The two engines which provide power for lift and thrust in the 12000TD are housed internally within the hull and therefore are too isolated from the ecosystems the hovercraft may be passing over instead of requiring the ecosystem to provide the material for propulsion.

This minimal amount of contact with the water also means the wash created when travelling at high speeds remains low. Marine environments can be travelled over in a sensitive, more direct manner, without needing to dredge and disturb it. 

Service

Hovertravel, the only scheduled hovercraft operator in the world, was launched in 1965 and is the fastest Isle of Wight ferry service across the Solent. It is also the world’s longest running commercial hovercraft operator.

Hovertravel is a very environmentally friendly way to travel quickly between the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth. Our 12000TD craft, using the most modern mechanical innovations and technology found in a hovercraft today, can carry 12 tonnes of payload over 1.5 meters above the surface. There is no displacement of craft weight in the water and the hull is not in contact meaning marine life are left alone to their own devices.

The two engines which provide power for lift and thrust in the 12000TD are housed internally within the hull and therefore are too isolated from the ecosystems the hovercraft may be passing over instead of requiring the ecosystem to provide the material for propulsion.

This minimal amount of contact with the water also means the wash created when travelling at high speeds remains low. Marine environments can be travelled over in a sensitive, more direct manner, without needing to dredge and disturb it. 

Contact Press Office

Accredited members of the media looking to film on our hovercraft or at our terminals for a relevant, current news story should contact our press office on:

✉ stephen@communicationmatters.co.uk

07831 268199

All requests will be assessed and responded to within 24 hours.

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