Dometic: Griffon Hoverwork Selects Dometic Air-Conditioning Solution for New Showcase Hovercraft

Hovertravel’s showcase craft featuring customised DuraSea air-cooled system will operate between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight

Seawork International 2016, Mayflower Park, Southampton, 14th to 16th June, Stand PG90

HVAC specialist Dometic and Griffon Hoverwork have collaborated to develop a unique air-conditioning solution for Hovertravel’s new showcase hovercraft.

The 12000TD series new build, Solent Flyer, featuring the customised Dometic air-cooled system for heating or cooling is expected to start operating between Portsmouth Southsea and the Isle of Wight this summer.

It is the third craft project for which Griffon, global leaders in the design and manufacture of hovercraft, has selected Dometic as its preferred air-conditioning partners.

Designed to ensure a high level of temperature control for passengers and crew and offer weight and fuel savings, the durable and reliable Dometic DuraSea equipment specified for the Solent craft incorporates several features, as follows:

Hovercraft are not designed for water pick-up, so the air conditioning system must be air cooled. However, a normal air-cooled condenser will not survive the salt conditions. Dometic’s DuraSea range of air-cooled units are designed for exterior installation and engineered for exceptional resistance against salt water intrusion and corresponding corrosion experienced in harsh marine environments.

Paul Newton, Electrical Design Team Leader, Griffon Hoverwork Ltd, said: “The Dometic system provides good cool or warm air blow on to the passengers with a higher level of air-conditioning in the wheelhouse. It also allows for a reduced level of air conditioning as the turnaround time between Ryde and Southsea would never allow the internal environment to fully de-humidify. Although, trials have proven that a significant temperature change can be effected on longer running periods.

“With the experience gained on the previous project and after testing by Mastervolt and Dometic, the electrical load saving on this project allowed us to use the engine alternators and Mastervolt inverters. We believe this is a unique solution for achieving a vessel electrical HVAC, offering significant benefits by not fitting a separate diesel power unit, or factoring in the extra engine running time, complication and piping required when using direct engine driven air-conditioning compressors. This allows the craft to remain heated or cooled when shut down and connected to shore power.”

Designed for Hovertravel by sister company Griffon, the ground-breaking Solent Flyer hovercraft features low running and maintenance costs, with fuel savings of a third achieved with two engines, rather than four. The craft are 22.4m by 10m, have capacity for 80 passengers and freight and cruise at 35-40 knots.

Dometic air-cooled equipment was also installed on two previous projects operating in Pakistan and Korea.

For more information about Dometic’s air-conditioning equipment, visit Stand PG90 at Seawork.

For further information, please contact:

Dometic
Alan Diamond
Tel: +44 (0) 344 626 0133
Email: alan.diamond@dometic.com