Handling hovercrafts

Lloyds planned for the lifting equipment to be in excess of the 50 tonne weight of the Hovercraft. The start and finish position for the lift was assessed and Lloyds sited a 250 tonne mobile crane. The crane was erected by the final position for the hovercraft so the craft was towed closer to the crane to allow it to lift the hovercraft within its safe working radius for the approximate weight of the craft.

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 finally it was raised to a suitable height. The craft was 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 degrees to its final position.