Hovercraft gets a lift
Lifting equipment specialist, Lloyds British Testing, was tasked by Griffon Hoverwork in Southampton with lifting a 50t Canadian Hovercraft from its transport wheel blocks onto its stand for final fitting.
The start and finish position for the lift was assessed and Lloyds specified a 250t mobile crane.
Lloyds assembled lifting beams, slings and shackles in the configuration for a straight and even lift. Lifting gear was then suspended from the crane and attached to the hovercraft lifting points.
The lift began slowly and the load was raised to a suitable height. It was then slewed round slowly under the constant supervision of the tag holders. As the craft neared its final position the instruction to turn the craft by the tag lines was given and the craft was turned through 180˚ to its final position.
