Solent Express

Solent Express

Solent Express

Pictured departing from Ryde on the Isle of Wight on its way across the Solent to Southsea, this is Hovertravel’s BHT130 “Solent Express” hovercraft.

Introduced in 2007, the Solent Express carries 130 passengers, is diesel-powered, and makes the crossing in just under 9 minutes, at least 13 minutes faster than its closest competitor.

The Ryde-Southsea link is one of only two scheduled, year-round hovercraft services in the world and is certainly the longest running service, having been introduced in 1965.

Cambridge University graduate Sir Christopher Cockerell is credited with the invention of the hovercraft. His prototype SR-N1 craft made the first English Channel crossing from Dover to Calais in July 1959.

Companies were slow to adopt the invention however, with both boat and aeroplane manufacturers perhaps seeing it as a potential threat to their core businesses.

Meanwhile, Hovertravel continues to develop its fleet and over 21 million passengers have used the service since its inauguration.

Not sure whether to add this to the Nautical or Aviation groups, so I think I’ll try both!!

Date: 28th October 2009

Solent Express belongs to the following groups:

European Everyday Life (add the place!), Nautical, This is England, United Kingdom and Wessex UK - ancient and modern Available for sale as

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