Dear Editor:
I do believe I saw something on this almost exactly one year ago following that “other” dangerous storm Joachim’s journey through the southern Bahamas. I hope we don’t have to wait for a “third time lucky” syndrome for some serious consideration be given to examining the virtues of the hovercraft. Every time we have a substantial rain storm anywhere in these islands we call home any low lying land is inundated with water and regular wheeled vehicles cannot get through to offer help and assistance in a timely manner.
Enter the hovercraft, so named for its ability to “hover” over land or sea. The first practical design for a hovercraft was derived from a British invention, by British engineer, Sir Christopher Cockerell in the 1950s to 1960s. They are now used throughout the world as specialised transports in disaster relief, coastguard, military and survey applications as well as for sport or passenger service. Go here for much more information on this adaptable craft: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hovercraft
Hovercraft come in multiple sizes from a one-man pleasure craft up to very large sea-going ferry “ships” capable of carrying over four hundred passengers and 60 or so vehicles. I personally travelled on these ferries from Ramsgate, in Kent, England to near Calais on the northern French coast way back in the 1970’s before I emigrated to the Bahamas, a great start to a touring holiday, and the crossing was substantially quicker than by the regular ferry boat!
Peter Armstrong
October 13, 2016
