The RNLI reached an important milestone in December when its first rescue hovercraft went on station at Morecambe on the north west coast. The Lifeboat takes an in-depth look at this exciting new addition to the fleet.'It's a lot less bother than a hover,' so the famous slogan goes but, when it comes to saving lives, hovercraft can offer some real advantages over a boat. There are many areas of difficult terrain around our coasts where the water is too shallow for an inshore lifeboat (ILB), or ground conditions are too soft to support shore-based transport. Until now, helicopters - or arduous treks across soft mud by foot with special equipment - have been the only way of getting to these areas.

So the RNLI has been developing the inshore rescue hovercraft (IRH) to fill this gap in search and rescue cover. The IRH is aimed at stations where potential hazards include being cut-off by rising tides, or getting stuck in mud and quicksand - the places that conventional ILBs cannot get to quickly.

Preliminary trials took place at Poole with further trials at Hunstanton, Morecambe, Flint and Southend-on-Sea using local lifeboat crews. Tony Stankus, RNLI hovercraft operations manager, was delighted with the trials: They proved the hovercraft could withstand damage, was easy to launch and worked well over sand and mud... and the volunteer crews could easily 'fly1 the craft.' The trials proved that hovercraft can be deployed operationally and are particularly useful for shoreline searches. The RNLI has also been looking at incident data to see where a hovercraft could have previously been of benefit. A review of station records by crew, with first hand experience, reveal that hovercraft would have been an asset on particular services.

The trials also showed that hovercraft can be deployed using a transporter, to a wide variety of terrains and can be launched in a car park, field or road - provided there is reasonable access. In addition, infra-red imaging devices which currently cannot be used on ILBs may prove suitable for use when searching with hovercraft and are planned for trials in the near future.

As with all good things in life there is one small drawback - the hovercraft's relatively limited sea-keeping capability. It is restricted to a wave height of under 1 m and a wind speed of 25 knots - beyond which, handling becomes difficult.

However, hovercraft are not intended to replace lifeboats but to enhance search and rescue capability at some existing stations. If it can be done by boat - then use a boat.

The first RNLI rescue hovercraft will operate from Morecambe. The decision to go ahead was made by the RNLI's Trustee Committee following the trials in 2001. Morecambe was chosen as the first location for a number of reasons. Tony Stankus highlighted: 'its extensive mud and sand flats that are uncovered at low tide, plus areas of quicksand that can prove hazardous for the unwary'. It was also considered appropriate for the first hovercraft to be co-located with a lifeboat station so the lifeboat could provide additional support if necessary, Initially, there will be temporary housing for the hovercraft at Morecambe, using the existing infrastructure. Once the hovercraft has proved itself to be a useful, safe and effective mode of search and rescue, more permanent arrangements will be made.Inshore rescue hovercraft - technical detailsSince the trials last year, the IRH has been modified for search and rescue from a standard Griffon 450TD in conjunction with the manufacturer Griffon Hovercraft Limited. This has included increasing the length, stability, buoyancy and thrust, and decreasing the noise levels.

Handling There are two main aspects of hovercraft handling: lift and thrust. The build up of air pressure under the craft provides lift. It is supplied by drawing in outside air and pumping it into the area under the craft. This area has a large 'footprint' (surface area) and, therefore, only needs a low pressure to support the craft. To maintain this pressure, an effective seal is needed around the 'skirt' so that air can build and lift.

Thrust is provided by two large fans mounted on the back of the craft that act in the same way as aeroplane propellers. Steering is provided by aerofoil shaped rudders that are placed in the airflow behind the props. These influence the heading of the craft and power must then be applied to alter course. As the lift and thrust fans are linked, by increasing engine speed, lift and thrust fans turn quicker at the same rate.

Standby and launching When the hovercraft is on station, it will always be ready for rapid launch. The side sponsons will be kept inflated and the hovercraft will be kept on the transporter to keep space requirements to a minimum. The transporter system has been developed for rapid deployment.

As the hovercraft would normally be housed in a boathouse on a transporter, access for the transporter is required to the slipway. At stations where access to the beach is good there are no real changes to be made, the hovercraft can move from boathouse to beach and along the beach or out to sea as required.

At slipway launched ILB stations, the slipway may have to be modified or alternative launch sites provided.

Crew The crewing arrangements will be similar in structure to those for an ILB. The helmsman will be known as the 'commander'. Age limits for crew will be 18 (17 with parental consent) to 55. This extension from normal ILB retirement at 45 is due to the gentler ride provided by the hovercraft.

Training Crew members will need similar training to that of ILB crews. Apart from the obvious handling characteristics, the main differences in the training course will be the the inclusion of mud rescue techniques, navigation (unconstrained by water depth), search patterns and operating parameters.

Hovercraft Introductory Training (HIT) lasts one week.Length: Weight: Crew: Casualty capacity: Maximum speed: Endurance: Specialist capability: 7.75m 2500kQ (fully loaded) 2/3 3/4 but can be used as safe refuge under cover for up to 10 30 knots 3 hours Shallow water, soft mud, sand bars, rapid shoreline search Launch: Can launch on most smooth surfaces, including roads, car parks and fields.

Transferred by road on specialist transporter Construction: The hull of the hovercraft is marine grade aluminium, while the topsides and fan ducts are moulded fibre reinforced composites Powered by: 2 x VW Golf Turbo Diesels of 64kW each Equipment list: Mud softening lance with water and air, bottles, 2 x stretchers, first aid kit GPS, VHP Radio, liferaft (6 man)The Hurley FlyerThe story of Kay Hurley No article about the hovercraft project would be complete without mentioning the generosity and support of Mrs Kay Hurley WBE. Mrs Hurley, of Oxfordshire, is funding the first hovercraft and got involved in the early stages of the development programme back in March 2002. 'For years I had known about the lifeboats and always spared a thought for the crews when I heard bad weather reports on the radio,' she remembers. 'But, until recently, I never fully realised just how much money was needed to keep the service going.' Kay decided that she wanted to make a generous donation and spoke to her friend who was a north east fundraising organiser for the RNLI some years ago. 'She told me to ring the headquarters in Poole and there I was put in touch with Ann Wilkins, the RNLI's personal donations manager.' Ann offered to visit Kay at home where they discussed how the money could be put to best use.

'At that time I wasn't sure where my money would be going as the Thames lifeboats were in the news a lot but they had already been funded,' said Kay.

'Ann told me about the hovercraft project and suggested that it would be an exciting project to be involved in.' Kay was very interested and wanted to know more so Ann arranged for her meet up with Tony Stankus, the hovercraft operations manager. Tony's 'buoyant enthusiasm' for the project soon rubbed off so a second visit was arranged- Kay said: 'I was taken out for a ride in the original trial hovercraft and actually had a go at flying her - Tony said that I was the first woman ever to pilot her. I was then invited to go and see the hovercraft being modified for the RNLI at the Griffon boatyard in Southampton. As we inspected the fitting out I decided to make a commitment and fund the craft for the Morecambe station.' The cost of the hovercraft was around £120,000 and Kay made a very generous donation through the Gift Aid scheme. This is a great way to donate as it allows the RNLI to claim back the tax from the government - enough to completely fund the new hovercraft.

As with donors who fund lifeboats, Kay was given the honour of choosing a name for the craft. 'A friend suggested The Hurley Flyer as she will be the first RNLI vessel to fly' said Kay.

The Hurley Flyer went on station at Morecambe in December and Kay went along to the press day to see the hovercraft being put though its paces.'I am proud to be a member of the lifeboat family/ she said,'and very proud to be involved in this project.