Hovering safety concern removed by experts
On a visit to The Hovercraft Museum at Gosport in Hampshire, the Ramora UK team noticed that some of the life rafts on an old cross channel hovercraft were still sealed, and that meant they were likely to contain the original distress flares.
If they were still there, they would certainly be out of date and would be classified by ordnance experts as Time Expired Pyrotechnics (TEPs), representing a potential public danger requiring removal and disposal by experts.
Undertaking the job, Ramora UK discovered eight TEPS in the life rafts and removed them safely.
Following the works, Ramora UK managing director David Welch said, “We were delighted to have this unexpected opportunity to help The Hovercraft Museum. Thankfully, the life rafts on this particular hovercraft were not used and it’s easy to see how the flares would have been forgotten once the craft was decommissioned. Once flares are out of date, they do become potentially hazardous, which is why the industry gives them the special designation of TEPs and why they should only be handled by properly trained personnel.”
Warwick Jacobs, Trustee of The Hovercraft Museum added, “Obviously we had no idea the flares were there. We’re very grateful to Ramora UK for their prompt action and assistance with making our collection of over 70 hovercraft safer. With over 426 passengers each, the two SRN4 cross channel giants had over 24 rafts.”
Ramora UK is a global provider of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) services and training. The company offers a wide range of land and maritime Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and EOD services including the design and delivery of professional training, practical services, equipment procurement, equipment solutions, integration services and consultancy solutions
The Hovercraft Museum is the only one of its kind in the world, with a collection of more than 60 hovercraft within several hangars on the former HMS Daedalus site at Gosport. From its beginnings in 1988, the museum, which is run by dedicated enthusiasts including engineers, pilots and former crew, has attracted over 50,000 visitors and held more than 10 annual ‘hovershows’.
