Griffon trials Hampshire-made hovercraft ready for deployment in Japan

Griffon Hoverwork is a shining example of the innovation and business connections for which Hampshire is renowned, with their latest project set to put the county firmly on the map.

Last week the team celebrated the culmination of two years’ hard work at their Portchester engineering facility, as a new 12000TD hovercraft headed out across the Solent to the Isle of Wight.

But demand for the high-quality output of Hampshire businesses like Griffon stretches far beyond the county’s borders.

Their latest hovercraft, Baien, is one of three commissioned by Oita Prefecture in Japan as part of a £25 million contract drawn up in 2021.

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Together they’ll reestablish a vital passenger service between Oita Airport and Oita City, with all three craft scheduled for delivery by January 2024.

Before then, Griffon’s Chief Pilot Ben Avery is among those helping to put Baien through its paces right here in Hampshire.

He said: “The sea trials programme consists of various different tests, including float tests, steering tests, speed runs, and endurance runs”.

These trials are important because, while Griffon already provides a 12000TD for the Hovertravel service between Southsea in Portsmouth and Ryde on the Isle of Wight, they’ve had to make a few key adjustments for their Japanese customers.

Ben explained: “The craft is 25m long – two metres longer than the standard 12000TD.

“That extra two metres has been added to give more space inside the cabin, which allows for the Japanese barrier-free access requirements.

“It also gives two wheelchair spaces and seating for 80 passengers.

“Because we’ve made the craft a bit longer, we’ve had to look at ways of weight-saving.

“One of the ways we’ve done that is by taking weight out of the propeller ducts in the manufacturing process. The steering system is now also a lot more efficient.”

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Also crucial to Baien’s future application is the ‘puff port’ installed at the front of the craft, which pilots can use to bleed off pressure.

Ben added: “It’s for very fine manoeuvring, and our customer in Japan has quite a tight space in their boathouse, so it will be used to help them park the craft.”

Back in March the team also welcomed a group of mechanical students from their Japanese customers Hoverdrive, who visited Griffon’s facilities in Portchester, Fareham and Woolston, Southampton.

For Adrian Went, Managing Director at Griffon, the reasoning behind Hoverdrive’s decision to pick a Hampshire business like his own for a multi-million-pound contract halfway across the world was clear.

He said: “Overseas clients continue to come to Griffon for the quality that we deliver.

“Our team are all very much looking forward to working with this latest esteemed customer and providing them with the latest British developed technology.

“The project has provided opportunities across a range of roles in our business, from graduate engineers, through to supply chain activity, to the complete range of marine workshop skills.”

It also ranks among Griffon’s largest contracts to date, and the team are looking forward to delivering the finished craft at the start of next year.

For every Griffon Hoverwork there are hundreds more innovative and thriving businesses like it across all industries and sectors, each flying the flag for Hampshire.

It’s exactly that kind of success that this year’s inaugural Hampshire Business Awards, hosted by The Business Magazine in partnership with Hampshire County Council, are setting out to celebrate.

With a diverse range of awards categories, there’s something for businesses of all sizes and backgrounds, from start-ups and scale-ups to SME leaders.

Nominations close on Friday 15 September in time for the grand ceremony on Thursday 30 November at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre.

Guests will be treated to a three-course gala dinner with networking and drinks as the winners are announced.

Most of all, it offers an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the best in Hampshire business and the people behind their success.

To hear from the people involved, click here, and to enter the awards, click here.