DF Dickins Associates Ltd.


			Engineering & Environmental Research

		DF Dickins Associates Ltd.

Projects: Air Cushion Vehicles (Hovercraft)

BACKGROUND

Dickins' hovercraft background dates back to 1969 with a pioneering expedition in the Mackenzie Delta with the British CC-7 gas turbine powered craft. Subsequent projects included a worldwide review of hovercraft technology for arctic oil spill response under contract to Shell Oil in Houston, management of a four year international hovercraft R&D program for SOHIO Petroleum (now BP Alaska), and participation in numerous trials of different hover platforms and large hovercraft in Canada and the United States. David Dickins has worked with a wide range of hovercraft including the Bell Voyageur, SR.N6, SR.N4, ACT-100 (hover barge), Jeff (A), Wartsila Larus, AP.1-88/100 (ferry), and the AP.1-88/200 and AP.1-88/400 (freighters).

Over the past decade, air cushion vehicle projects include: assisting Lynden Transport (Alaska Hovercraft) in gaining regulatory approvals for operations in a sensitive river environment in Alaska and evaluating the potential use of an AP.1-88 type hovercraft as an emergency response craft in the Anchorage area. From 1990 to 1994, the company worked closely with Cominco Metals to help launch and maintain their successful AP.1-88 hovercraft freight operation in the Stikine wilderness area. During 2001, the company worked with a firm of naval architects to help evaluate hovercraft as an alternative to conventional marine ferries to service the Cold Bay airport in the Aleutian Islands. A 2002 project evaluated hovercraft for emergency evacuation and rescue in the Sakhalin offshore for ExxonMobil. This work included a field trial program which utilized the Canadian Coast Guard AP.1-88/200 for tests over ice in the St. Lawrence River. Dickins also developed a trial program for the Italian operating company, AGIP, to evaluate the capabilities of the AP.1-88/100 over ice in the Caspian Sea.

Selected Air Cushion Vehicle Projects

Potential hovercraft patrol routes evaluated.

Photo: Canadian Coast Guard.

Photo: Canadian Coast Guard.

Arctic Patrol Hovercraft: an Initial Feasibility Study
for Defence Research and Development Canada April 2007

Defence R&D Canada contracted Dickins Associates to conduct an initial feasibility into the use of hovercraft to patrol the Canadian Northwest Passage, motivated by a desire to protect and strengthen the country’s sovereignty claims in the Arctic. Missions may include search and rescue, fisheries enforcement, oil spill response and support of military exercises. The study team, including Hovercraft Consultants Ltd. of Southampton, UK, examined existing craft and potential new designs in terms of their ability to perform over rough ice in extreme climatic conditions. The final report was submitted April 2007.

Photo: Bertling

Air Cushion Vehicle Review, Fall 2004

Dickins completed a comprehensive worldwide review of hovercraft capabilities for an international oil company in support to their offshore oil development activities. The project included an examination of technical, and economic issues associated with use of particular designs in a high-speed logistics role. An independent aspect of the work also evaluated the future potential of using hovercraft in the emergency evacuation role and identified necessary R&D to determine the practicality of operating in hazardous environments (pool fires, explosions and toxic gases). Dickins carried out the work in association with Hovercraft Consultants Limited of Southampton, UK. The report is proprietary to the client.

Hovercraft Feasibility Evaluation
for ExxonMobil, Houston, 2001 to 2002

A series of projects examined the feasibility of using hovercraft for emergency evacuation from a drilling platform offshore of Sakhalin Island during the ice season. Issues included reliability, capacity, and the ability to traverse rough broken ice. The project culminated in the development of a new design concept based on modular construction (with Hovercraft Consultants, Southampton, UK).

Hovercraft Feasibility Evaluation

Cold Bay Hovercraft Evaluation
for East Aleutians Borough with The Glosten Associates, 2001-02

Working with a Seattle-based firm of naval architects, Dickins provided technical engineering support to assess the likely performance, operating costs and reliability of a proposed service, utilizing an AP.1-88 or similar design to connect the village of King Cove with the Cold Bay airport in the Aleutian Islands. A related project (Dec 02) examined the potential impact of hovercraft underwater noise on marine mammals, including seals, sea lions and sea otters.
Environmental Studies

Cold Bay Hovercraft Evaluation

ACV Noise Impacts
for Lynden Transport (Alaska Hovercraft), 1994/9

Dickins assisted Lynden Transport in applying for permits to operate hovercraft on a mail/freight service out of Bethel Alaska. Involvement included participating in meetings with the US Postal Service on behalf of the client and evaluating noise data for both the AP.1-88 and the LACV-30.

ACV Noise Impacts
Transport Canada

Hovercraft Operations in Support of Mining Operations
for Cominco Metals, 1989 to 1994

Dickins Associates surveyed the proposed operating routes and evaluated available vehicles to service the Snip gold mine in northern B.C. The hovercraft was highly successful, leading to the mine opening ahead of schedule, and resulting in substantial savings in transportation costs. Continued consulting work after start-up included environmental assessment of noise impacts, spill contingency planning and participation in a video demonstrating environmental benefits of hovercraft.
Publications: Air Cushion Vehicles

Hovercraft Operations in Support of Mining Operations

Feasibility Study
for a Tourist Hovercraft Operation for a private client, 1991

This study evaluated the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of operating a small hovercraft carrying tourists along a scenic river in the Yukon. Dickins carried out worldwide survey of available vehicles as part of this work. The contract also involved a separate business plan.

Feasibility Study for a Tourist Hovercraft Operation
Capt. D. L'Heureux

Hovercraft Operations in Cook Inlet, Alaska
for the City of Anchorage, 1990

Dickins was contracted to evaluate the technical feasibility of using air cushion vehicles for search and rescue in the Cook Inlet area. The work included a detailed review of the operating environment, focusing on the ability to cope with rough ice and cold temperatures.

Hovercraft Operations in Cook Inlet, Alaska
Canadian Coast Guard

Evaluation of Hovercraft for Dispersant Application
for Environmental Studies Research Funds, 1988

The objective of this project was to determine if hovercraft could be used for high-speed dispersant application. Trials were conducted in the Strait of Georgia in 1986 with an SR.N6 hovercraft supplied by the Canadian Coast Guard Search and Rescue Base in Vancouver.

Evaluation of Hovercraft for Dispersant Application
Canadian Coast Guard

Evaluation of Hovercraft for Support of Beaufort Sea Production Development
for Gulf Canada Corporation (Calgary), 1986 and Conoco (Houston), 1989

Existing hovercraft and new designs were evaluated for their ability to meet the year-round supply requirements of offshore Beaufort Sea oil production facilities. Preliminary design drawings and specifications were developed for several new hovercraft with 75 to 300 tonnes payload capacity.
Publications: Air Cushion Vehicles

Jeff (A) Arctic Testing, 1983-84
for SOHIO Petroleum Company, 1983 to 1984

A U.S. Navy hovercraft capable of carrying 75 tons of payload at 35 knots over ice was successfully tested at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The objective was to gather critical engineering data to improve future air cushion vehicle designs for arctic applications.
Publications: Air Cushion Vehicles

Jeff (A) Arctic Testing, 1983-84
Bill Bacon Productions

1000 Ton Arctic Air Cushion Vehicle Design
for SOHIO Petroleum Company, 1981 to 1983

DF Dickins Associates Ltd. acted as technical director of SOHIO's ACV research program. The objective was to prove the commercial economic and technical viability of large air cushion freight vehicles in the arctic. Dickins led an international design team that designed a self-propelled 350-ton payload ACV capable of year-round offshore operations along the Alaskan North Slope.
Publications: Air Cushion Vehicles

1000 Ton Arctic Air Cushion Vehicle Design

Review of Air Cushion Vehicle Capabilities in Support of Oil Spill Clean-up Operations in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea
for Shell Oil Company, 1979

ACV designs were assessed on a worldwide basis as to their suitability for the oil spill clean up and support roles. The study included site visits with manufacturers and designers in Canada, the United States, and the U.K.

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Engineering & Environmental Research

Projects: Air Cushion Vehicles (Hovercraft)

BACKGROUND

Selected Air Cushion Vehicle Projects