Griffon Hoverwork 2000TD

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PA Griffon 2000TDX Mk II, 2006, inflated.JPG
A Griffon 2000TDX Mk II hovercraft, Christina, of the Lithuanian State Border Police in 2006
Class overview
Builders Griffon Hoverwork, United Kingdom
General characteristics
TypeHovercraft
Displacement
  • 3.5 tons (civilian)
  • 6.8 tons (military)
Length11.7 metres
Beam5.9 metres
Propulsion1 Deutz diesel engine 350 horsepower for lift and propulsion
Speed35 knots (at sea state 3)
Crew3 (minimum 1)
Notes20 Passengers
Griffon 2000 of Auckland International Airport Emergency Services in 2009 Auckland International Airport Emergency Services Hovercraft - Flickr - 111 Emergency.jpg
Griffon 2000 of Auckland International Airport Emergency Services in 2009
Griffon 2000 operated by Swedish Amphibious Corps in 2014

The Griffon 2000 series is a light-weight hovercraft built in the United Kingdom by Griffon Hoverwork and used principally by military and rescue organisations.

Contents

Background

Griffon Hoverwork (GHL) of Hythe, England has designed, manufactured and operated hovercraft for over 40 years.

GHL was the first manufacturer to use turbo-diesel engines on hovercraft, which increases durability compared to conventional petrol engines when exposed to salt water conditions. The company produces an extensive range of hovercraft, with payloads between 0.38 and 12 tonnes. [1]

Commercial use

For eight years GHL operated a passenger service up and down the River Thames in London, and hovercraft were the only vehicles allowed to operate at high speed along the river, as they produce very little wash or wake.

Hovertravel currently uses a Griffon Hoverwork designed 12000TD craft to provide a passenger route between Southsea, Portsmouth and Ryde, Isle of Wight. [2]

Société des Traversiers du Québec in Québec, Canada was provided in 2012 with a 2000TD to operate a passenger service between Pakuashipi and Saint-Augustin during the periods the ice bridge linking the two communities is not open. [3]

Military use

Royal Marine Hovercraft on Patrol in Iraq Royal Marine Hovercraft on Patrol in Iraq MOD 45142903.jpg
Royal Marine Hovercraft on Patrol in Iraq

Griffon Hoverwork hovercraft have been purchased by several armies, navies and paramilitary organisations throughout the World, and several remain on order. The hovercraft can be configured to carry troops or cargo, with optional extras such as armoured glass and ballistic protection.

Specifications

References

  1. ↑ Griffon Hoverwork Product Range
  2. ↑ "Southsea to Ryde hovercraft back in use after breakdowns". BBC News. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  3. ↑ "VCA L'Esprit-de-Pakuashipi - Nos navires - Société des traversiers du Québec". gouv.qc.ca. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  4. ↑ Gardner, Frank (3 July 2013). "Colombia forces in hovercraft boost". BBC News. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  5. ↑ "Finnish Border Guard's vessels and aircraft". Rajavartiolaitos. Archived from the original on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
General
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