TRIALS HAVE BEGUN FOR THE INITIATION OF A HOVERCRAFT FERRY SERVICE ACROSS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL, BETWEEN THE HOLIDAY TOWN OF RAMSGATE IN SOUTHERN ENGLAND AND THE FRENCH COASTAL RESORT OF CALAIS.

TWO SR.N6 HOVERCRAFT ARE TO USED FOR THE NEW SERVICE WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO START ON MAY 1. DURING THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, THE CREW AND TECHNICIANS WILL BE CARRYING OUT TRIALS AND TESTING RADAR AND OTHER EQUIPMENT AROUND THE SOUTH EAST COASTS OF ENGLAND.

AT RAMSGATE, 15,000 TONS OF CHALK HAVE BEEN BULLDOZED INTO THE HARBOUR TO MAKE A SPECIAL LAUNCHING PLATFORM AND TERMINAL FOR THE HOVERCRAFT.

THE 38-SEAT HOVERCRAFT WILL BE BROUGHT INTO SERVICE AT THE START OF THE ANNUAL CROSS-CHANNEL HOLIDAY SEASON. THE SERVICE IS BEING RUN BY CROSS-CHANNEL HOVER SERVICES, WHOSE PARENT COMPANIES ARE THE SWEDISH-LLOYD AND SWEDISH-AMERICAN SHIPPING LINES.

IT WAS ANNOUNCED RECENTLY THAT SIMILAR HOVERCRAFT MAY BE USED ON A PASSENGER FERRY SERVICE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN, OPERATING OUT OF TANGIER, IN MOROCCO.