N U M B E R 2 F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 0 1 CLASSICFAST FERRIES F A S T N E W S F A S T N E W S F A S T N E W S F A S T N E W S F A S T N E W S F A S T N E W S F Annemarie, one of four former Ukrainian Voskhods presently in the Connexxion Fast Flying Ferries fleet A successful connexxion Despite having a well-organized public transit system, in the ON THETHE COVERCOVER Netherlands, like everywhere else, the pressure on the roads in and around the bigger cities is nearing the point of a traffic Red Funnel Rodriquez RHS 70 heart attack. Some undoubtedly would say it already hydrofoils Shearwater 6 (front) and Shearwater 3 alongside at Southampton happened. in the heyday of the hydrofoil in the To help ease the situation and promote a more Solent in the mid-80s. environmentally-friendly and sensible thinking on a whole, in Story starts on page 4 1997 the Dutch government launched an extensive subsidies (tim timoleon photo ) program to encourage the establishing of fast and efficient commuter services also on water. First to achieve these government grants was Fast Flying Ferries, based in Urk on the east bank of the IJmeer, which CLASSICCLASSIC FAST FERRIESFERRIES had acquired a three year old Meteor hydrofoil from Latvia 2 / 2 0 0 1 - V O L. 2 already in 1995. Named Prins Willem Alexander this was operated on tourist trips linking Amsterdam and various points on the IJmeer during the summer months of 1996 and The cyberzine devoted to the history of 1997. hydrofoils, hovercraft, catamarans & other early That same year FFF purchased a pair of used hydrofoils in fast ferry designs. the Ukraine of the smaller Voskhod type, and by the time Issued 6-8 times per year. Details on publishing date for the upcoming issue these arrived in the Netherlands towards the end of 1997 the can be found on our website: introduction of a year-round fast ferry commuter route http://classicfastferries.go.to between central Amsterdam and Velsen, near IJmuiden, was in the final stages of planning. A third Voskhod followed Editor tim timoleon early in 1998. All artwork and lay-out designs, except where noted, copyright the editor. Comments, ideas, questions, contributions are encouraged and welcome! 8 EMAIL TO: MORE ON PAGE 14 [email protected] (c) 2001, CLASSIC FAST FERRIES ________________________________________ 2 CFF 2 – 2001 F A S T N E W S F A S T N E W S F A S T N E W S F A S T N E W S F A S T N E W S F A S T N E W S F Left : Six Griffon 3000TDX Mk III hovercraft are planned to be introduced on routes in the Stockholm archipelago in the near future (Griffon Hovercraft) C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S Griffon Hovercraft 3000TDX Mk III for HoverLine Length 18.4 m Beam 10 m Engines HoverLine: 2xScania V8 diesels Large-scale hovercraft project Standard: 2xDeutz V12 386 diesels launched in Sweden Service speed fully loaded 38 knots Endurance 5½ hours A Swedish company, HoverLine, has Obviosuly, the biggest concern is noise; Passengers 40–50 well advanced plans of introducing up to having a hovercraft roaring by several six hovercraft carrying commuters and times a day (and possibly night too) does priority cargo on a year-round basis not go well with the idea of living a between central Stockholm and certain tranquil life in the archipelago it is felt. An ______________________________ points in the Stockholm archipelago in aspect of equal concern to HoverLine, the next few years. The new service is which refers to impartial tests carried out expected to be launched later in the by the University of Southampton on FAC ordered for spring. Three craft will be introduced behalf of the company which have shown during the first year of operation. external noise levels not exceeding 87 dB Tallinn–Helsinki The craft chosen are Griffon Hovercraft at max speed and 77 dB at service speed type 3000TDX Mk IIIs which, in the (approx. 38 knots) at a distance of 25 m route Stockholm commuter version, will be from the craft, and 73 dB and 63 dB fitted out for 40–50 passengers in a respectively at 200 m. These levels will Linda Line Express, the Estonian company single saloon. A cargo version, able to be sought reduced even further. which operates a pair of Morye Olympia carry 16 t, is also planned for. Real-life trial runs on location in the hydrofoils on the Tallinn–Helsinki route Last year the Southampton-based yard Stockholm area have also been during the navigational season, has delivered three mixed-traffic 3000TDX performed with good results, using a ordered a foil-assisted passenger Mk IIs to Shell Petroleum in Nigeria. hovercraft belonging to the Swedish catamaran from Almaz Shipbuilding in St. The Swedish 3000TDXs will have a Navy. Petersburg for delivery in May 2002. pair of 1,200 hp Scania V8 diesels rather Fully operational the HoverLine concept A new design, the craft will be of than the Deutz 386/525s offered on the will comprise three products. HoverLink, aluminum construct and have a length of standard craft and will be equipped with which is the commuter service portion; 40 m and beam of 11 m. It will be powered a special de-icing device. HoverFast, combined passenger/cargo by four MTU diesels giving the vessel a The environment through which the services, and HoverCargo, priority cargo service speed of around 45 knots. hovercraft will be operating naturally is services. Accomodation will be for 300 passengers rather sensitive, and while the service on one deck. will provide a fast and competitive link Below : Impression of between Stockholm and the outlying HoverLine’s Griffon 3000TDX MORE FAST NEWS ON PAGE 15 8 islands under almost any weather hovercraft fitted out as a condition not all locals are commuter vessel unconditionally positive about the (HoverLine) newcomer. CLASSICFAST FERRIES is the only magazine devoted to the historic aspect of passenger HYDROFOILS as well as CATAMARANS, HOVERCRAFT, etc., and provides accurate & entertaining information to the pro and enthusiast alike 3 CFF 2 – 2001 T eething problems with an early Hover- many commuters and business travelers on the marine HM.2 surface effect ship play a big route, but also to an increasing number of part in why the Southampton Water and the tourists visiting the island in the summer Solent – the straits dividing the south coast of months. England and the Isle of Wight – got to be Prior to settling for the Seaflight craft the hydrofoil territory for nearly 30 years. operator had laid eyes on the HM.2 prototype Actually, two hydrofoils remain in the area developed by Hovermarine, also based in but have been inactive for the past couple of Southampton, and which it was to charter for years. the 1967 season. S O L E N T SS HH EE AA RR WW AA TT EE RR SS In 1968 Red Funnel Steamers of South- However, problems with the new design ampton placed an order for an H.57 hydrofoil prevented this from taking place. with the Sicilian shipyard Seaflight. This company had been founded in 1961 by a S T Y L I S H I T A L I A N S former employee of Sicily’s other well-known hydrofoil yard, Cantiere Navale Leopoldo The hydrofoil, Shearwater, arrived as deck cargo Rodriquez. Red Funnel had decided to order in Southampton in January 1969. It was the the hydrofoil as it wished to offer a fast fourth H.57 completed by Seaflight since 1966 alternative to its conventional car/passenger and the first to be exported; the previous three ferries plying between Southampton and vessels having been delivered to operators in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, mainly to the Sicily and Napoli. 4 CFF 2 – 2001 The stylish H.57 was derived from the company’s smaller P.46 design, seven of which were built between 1965 and 1968. Shearwater was fitted out for 60 passengers, 54 of which in a main saloon – according to the builder, “in elegant surroundings, by far more comfortable than the accomodation offered by other similar craft”. And you were tempted to believe them when looking at the accompanying pictures of the very neat and modern interior. Seats in black washboard-patterned leather-look were arranged three abreast in two rows, with a centre aisle, all but six facing forward. A futher six folding seats were provided in a small elevated area behind the wheelhouse, however separated from this by luggage racks. Bulkhead and ceiling were finished in white materials giving the cabin a light and roomy feel. All in all a simple yet sophisticated appearance, reflecting the F I R S T H Y D R O F O I L renowned Italian design of the time. Access to the craft was through doors on Following what seems, at least with today’s the bridge deck on either side. eyes, a rather long period of time of trials With a displacement of 26 t and an overall and crew training upon delivery, Shearwater length of 18.6m, the craft – not accidental – eventually entered revenue service on 5th was slightly smaller than its closest May 1969. It was the first hydrofoil in competitor, the Supramar PT.20.