1A14

Operation Base Layout

Griffon Hovercraft Ltd

Griffon Hovercraft Ltd. A14: Operation Base layout

Figure
Fig 1: Plan of base

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Griffon Hovercraft Ltd. A14: Operation Base layout

Base Layout
Figure 1 shows a proposed base for 4 Griffon 2000TD(M) hovercraft. The design of a
good operational base for any hovercraft is crucial to a successful hovercraft operation.

Slipway (approach ramp)

The importance of a safe and predictable slipway cannot be over-emphasised. It is the
only part of a hovercraft’s working area that a craft will have to negotiate at least twice
during every operation. Here are a few design pointers:

• The slipway will need a minimum 200m long x 50m wide approach corridor clear of
any obstructions at all states of tide.
• The slipway must have a consistent gradient across its width. Hovercraft will fall
down a gradient and any cross slope may cause unpredictable and potentially
dangerous approaches.
• There should be no camber, the slipway should be flat across its width.
• If there is a choice of sites, a prevailing wind that blows directly offshore is
desirable.
• The approach gradient is critical: The craft will be able to negotiate a steeper than
1:12 slope but will need more speed to do so. Therefore a longer landing area will
be required to allow the craft to stop safely.

Landing Area
• A 1:25 gradient will ensure that the craft will ‘fall off’ the slope to assist reverse pitch
for a fast and predictable deployment. It will also allow water to drain off the area to
facilitate skirt maintenance.
• There should be no camber, the landing area should be flat across its width.

The ground pressure of the craft’s landing pads under the parked craft is maximum
0.4kg/cm2. The surface across both the slipway (approach ramp) and the landing area
should be able to withstand this pressure.

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Griffon Hovercraft Ltd. A14: Operation Base layout

Figure 2: Hangar dimensions

Hangars
If a hangar is to be provided for storage and maintenance it should either: (a) be built on a
1:25 gradient with a single door on the low side or, (b) be on a level surface with doors at
both ends.

(a) If it is built on a slope the craft will exit backwards from the hangar and therefore the
hangar should be orientated to allow easy access to the sea from it. No cross slopes can
be tolerated with this method. One advantage of this arrangement is that water will drain
naturally out of the doorway. Some negative camber can also be useful in this
configuration if the hangar is for one craft only. This will tend to guide the craft through the
centre of the doorway and also allow water to drain out under the centre of the craft.

(b) If a ‘drive through’ hangar is to be used it should be flat and level in both directions.
Drainage under the floor should therefore be provided. Space should be allowed for the
craft to exit and turn at both ends, so that the driver can use either door dependent on
wind direction. See figures 2 and 3 for basic hangar dimensions.

Minimum
Doorway width 6.5m
Doorway height 4.2m*
Hangar internal width 10.0
Hangar internal length 15.0m
Figure 3: Hangar dimensions
*this does not include antennae, if it is feasible to lower the craft’s antennae before entry
this dimension can be used. Otherwise an allowance should be made.

Slinging

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Griffon Hovercraft Ltd. A14: Operation Base layout
The craft can be lifted using a mobile crane. The maximum slinging weight when lifting the
craft is 5.1 tonnes. See C11 for slinging details. A crane with a minimum capacity of 5.1
tonnes at 6.0 metres is required.

A gantry is useful for the removal of machinery for maintenance, and for the installation
and removal of the modules. The gantry will require a minimum span of 6 metres to pass
along the craft without damaging the skirt. See figure 4 for basic dimensions. A Safe
working load of 1500kg will be enough to lift all the craft’s major components individually.

A pair of gantries may also be used for raising the whole craft. Each gantry should be
equipped with two chain hoists. See table below for safe working loads of components.

No of hoists Hoist SWL No of gantries Gantry SWL

Whole craft 4 3 tonne 2 6 tonne
Machinery package 1 1.5 tonne 1 1.5 tonne
Figure 4: Gantry and hoist details

Figure 5: Gantry dimensions

Jacking
The craft can be raised using the jacking post system provided with the craft. This is
described in the craft’s operating manual Section A2.19.

Ground pressure
Although the surface pressure of the craft underway is negligible, when it is parked or
jacked more pressure is exerted. The ground pressure of the craft’s landing pads under
the parked craft is maximum 0.4kg/cm2. The surface right across both the slipway
(approach ramp) and the landing area should be able to withstand this pressure. When
raised on the jacking posts there will be a ground pressure in excess of 125kg/cm2. It is
recommended that unless the surface is thick concrete, metal plates are positioned under
the jacking posts before the craft is jacked.

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Griffon Hovercraft Ltd. A14: Operation Base layout
Power
The power requirements for lighting and equipment on the base are to comply with local
requirements.

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