Would you consider using a Lake Champlain hovercraft ferry service?
It’s been almost two weeks since the Essex-Charlotte ferry service was discontinued due to heavy ice accumulation on Lake Champlain. Twelve days as of today, to be exact. And for many Essex area ferry commuters the closure has prompted reflection, debate and brainstorming.
Vital Interstate Infrastructure
Virtually all affirm the critical importance of convenient, local, reliable, year-round transportation across Lake Champlain. Many are sympathetic to Lake Champlain Transportation’s winter struggle and are grateful for all efforts made to keep the mid-lake ferry service open in recent winters. But for others the ongoing inconvenience compels frustration and a quest for viable alternatives. One of the most intriguing ideas for weather-proof, year round transportation arrived in my inbox with a link to the Dragon Flight HC 420 Hovercraft. Check out the video.
Is Hovercraft Ferry Service Viable?
In some respects hovercraft ferry service on Lake Champlain is viable. The hovercraft pictured above is available for sale for $375,000 (including a hauling trailer). While that’s no paltry sum, it’s a fair share cheaper than launching a conventional ferry service, and it could potentially shuttle passengers despite flooding, freezing and even extended drought.
[pullquote]Imagine hovercraft ferry service that is supplemental to the existing car ferries, a service that is more complementary than redundant…[/pullquote]Lasso a licensed captain or three; provision the galley with savory treats from local farms, breweries, wineries, distilleries; secure docking (and parking) privileges at a dozen or so strategic piers on both sides of Lake Champlain; and ship ahoy! It would allow for north-south travel in addition to east-west, potentially incentivizing bicycle and pedestrian commuting in lieu of automobile commuting. Imagine taking the hovercraft ferry service from Essex to Burlington for dinner and a concert when local options shrink mid-winter. Work, school, doctors, airport, shopping… Everything would be accessible year-round.
Now I’m not suggesting that a single, secondhand hovercraft ferry would be a suitable replacement for the Essex-Charlotte ferry. Far from it. My wife and I depend heavily on our local “bridge” to Vermont, and we are vocal and enthusiastic fans of the hardworking team that ensure its timely and safe crossing.
But imagine, if you will, hovercraft ferry service that is supplemental to the existing car ferries, a service that is more complementary than redundant, though redundancy would be a blessing during times like the present when the Essex-Charlotte ferry is out of commission for weeks (months?) to come.
Downsides of Hovercraft Ferry Service
I’m not a hovercraft ferry service expert by a long shot, and the concept above is probably harebrained. But the exciting reminder buried in the hovercraft suggestion I received from a friend is that we should brainstorm viable (and pipe dream less viable) scenarios instead of grumbling and blaming. We’re fortunate to have mostly reliable interstate transportation infrastructure that connects our small community with a vast network of professional opportunities, schools, services, transportation, etc. On the rare occasion when circumstances beyond our control make us feel unfortunate, let’s dream up better alternatives for the future.
And despite my fleeting enthusiasm for a Lake Champlain hovercraft ferry service, one tragic flaw is the unbelievable racket these machines make. A quick poke around YouTube demonstrates that hovercraft of all sizes are extremely noisy. And noise pollution strikes me as an obviously unacceptable addition to our quiet, seagull calling, wave lapping, bell chiming town. I’m sure there are other downfalls of hovercraft ferry service as well, but just in case I’ve piqued your curiosity, this next section will give you a glimpse at what you can get for $375,000.
Dragonflight HC 420 Hovercraft
If you’re curious about the Dragon Flight HC 420 Hovercraft in the photo/video above, here are some of the important details listed on the Universal Hovercraft website.
Description: Dragonflight HC 420 is a 30 passenger all terrain hovercraft capable of hauling up to 5,500 lbs. Built by Miami Hovercraft in 2010, the HC 420 is an all composite hovercraft built in the United States. Twin turbo diesel engines power twin variable pitch thrust propellers and twin hydraulically powered lift fans giving the hovercraft a top speed of 40 knots.
Features: Dragonflight Hovercraft are equipped with all required navigation instrumentation and electronics including: radars, GPS, attitude indicator, wind indicator, redundant radio system, VHF antennas, and directional search light. The Dragonflight Hovercraft has duplicity of every system for redundancy to enhance failure prevention… [This all-terrain, all season vessel] has the ability to reach places no other vehicle can.
Maneuverability: Eight vertical rudders vector thrust behind the propellers for turning while Inflight adjustable variable pitching propellers and hydraulically driven lift fans further increase low and high speed maneuverability. Thrust propellers provide reverse thrust which allows the hovercraft to maneuver inside its own length, backup and accurately navigate in reverse. Twin lift fans are precisely controlled over the full rpm range independently of one another. This control allows the pilot to hover in place, list the craft and more accurately control balance and maneuverability. Eight horizontal elevators aide in pitching the craft fore and aft to achieve optimal balance. (Universal Hovercraft)
If you haven’t fallen asleep with a droolsickle dangling precariously close to your keyboard, then here are a few final specs:
- Length: 42′ 0″
- Width: 20′ 0″
- Top Speed: 40 knots
- Top Speed full load: 35 knots
- Payload: 30 passengers or up to 5,500 lbs
- Engines: Two x turbocharged diesel engines, 450hp each
- Thrust propellers: Two 54 inch 4 blade, in flight adjustable pitch with reverse
- Thrust: 2,450 lbs
- Lift: Two Centrifugal lift fans
- Ground clearance: 18 – 24 inches
- Weight: 18,000 lbs
- Fuel capacity: 270 gallons
- Fuel efficiency: 15 gallons per hour
- Range: 350 miles
- Fuel capacity: 270 gallons (Universal Hovercraft.)
Of course, there’s always snowshoes, cross country skies, skates and dogsleds when Lake Champlain freezes over. And all of them are much, much quieter than a hovercraft…
Hat tip to Essex friend Mark Engelhardt for his timely recommendation!
Related articles
- Essex Ferry Crossing Closed Due to Ice (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Ferry Service Suspended (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Essex-Charlotte Winter Ferry Crossing with Lea Coggio (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Essex-Charlotte Canal (rosslynredux.com)
- 1954 LCT Ferry Brochure (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Essex-Charlotte Ferry Winter Schedule 2014-15 (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Birders Flock to Essex-Charlotte Ferry Channel (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- 1958 Vintage Ferry Brochure (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
You know, maybe it is time to start lobbying for a northern bridge
Maybe, though I’m hard pressed to imagine a suitable location. For the most part this section of the lake is either too wide, too deep, and/or the environmental/aesthetic impact would be too damaging. Tunnel?!?! 😉 Thanks for you comment, David.
Cool idea! But a question for you, is the hovercraft capable of traveling on ice?
Great question, Robert. I proceeded on the assumption that the hovercraft could travel over snow/ice just as well as it does over land. But that may be too big an assumption. Wonder if the manufacturer would be able/willing to weigh in. Thanks for the smart question!
Much more viable is for LCT to invest in having a genuine icebreaker ferry available for the winter here and to develop better techniques for breaking the boats loose from the dock than revving the engines (what they do now). I’m sure that there are other places in the world that confront similar challenges and have solved them; more imagination, less defeatism. The Army Corp of Engineers could lay a pontoon bridge down at Split Rock across to Thompson’s Point for the winter! I’d happily walk across to take a bus to Burlington.
Yes and yes! 🙂 Wonder if the first idea might be something that LCT is already considering, especially since they’ve had also trouble up north this winter with the deep freeze. Hope so.
As for a pontoon bridge, that’s perfect. Would be an awesome incentive to get folks in shape. And hard core winter bicycle commuters could basically commute the full way under human muscle power. Who do we talk to?!?!
Thanks for your comments, Mary-Nell.
I’ll be happy to learn to fly it !
Fly indeed. Hadn’t really thought about the appropriate verb to use, but you’re right, more “aircraft” than conventional water vessel. I’ll add you to the captain sign-up sheet, Mark. 🙂 And thanks again for the wild (clever?) idea!
Year round ferry service is a relatively recent thing- the ferry always stopped running in the winters. People who commute long distances to jobs across the lake are adding unnecessarily to global warming, which helps make the lake freeze. If you work in Vermont, you should live in Vermont. It’s fine with me if the unreliable ferry service deters more commuters from living in Essex. It’s a privilege to live by the lake, not an entitlement.
I love living in Essex and having the option of calling on clients in VT all year long. Driving around is a hassle and shouldn’t be necessary but we still can’t control Mother Nature. Plan B (hovercraft) sounds great!!