Catamarans saw the death of the SRN4 service between Dover and Calais. Hoverspeed (at the time) deemed them cheaper to run, with similar crossing times yet an improved level of passenger comfort. Initially, Hoverspeed ran several of Incat's (an Australian catamaran manufacturer based in Tasmania) 74m craft, later upgrading to two craft purchased from the then Stena Line's service to France, the Incat 86. SpeedFerries then took over these two craft upon Hoverspeed's demise, until their own cessation of service in 2008.
LDLines, the latest high-speed operator on the Dover to France routes is now operating the biggest high-speed catamaran of its kind yet, the Incat 112, the first of which to arrive was the Norman Arrow (LDLines.com, 2009).
More information and technical specifications can be found within Incat's Incat 112 Specifications.
4 x Wartsila LJX 1500SR waterjets configured for
steering and reverse
Nominal passengers
1,200
Max. Car load
417
Vehicle combination
195 cars, 30 freight
The wave-piercing bow design
Main funnel, port side
Looking back along the length of the craft
Rear, open-ended vehicle deck design
Looking forward along the length
Outputs for the two port engines' waterjets
Page updated:
08/15/2010
For best viewing, use Windows Internet Explorer 7 orMozilla Firefox 3.
Minimum Required Resolution: 800x600. Recommended resolution: 1024x768 or higher with browser font size at default.
Resolutions smaller or font sizes larger than the above will result in incorrect display of text and images.
James' Hovercraft Site is not affiliated in any way with The Hovercraft Museum, Hoverspeed, Sea Containers or British Airways. The intent of the two sites (JHS Concorde Site and James' Hovercraft Site) is for them to be built up by contributions from viewers: photos, pictures, data, information, stories, video captures and more are all very welcome. If you have any comments, questions or issues regarding this website, its content, or anything about hovercraft, please use the "Questions or Feedback about this Site or Page " link at the top-right of each page.