Circumnavigation in hovercraft

Press, 23 September 1987, Page 54

Circumnavigation in hovercraft

PA Tauranga An expedition which could be the longest journey to be made using a light hovercraft will leave from Auckland early next year. The 7650 km voyage is the idea, of an Englishman, Tim Nichols, who plans to follow it with an ascent of the Indus River in the Indian sub-contin-ent, and a desert crossing in Saudi Arabia. “I had the idea two years ago, but it has taken until now to put it together,” Mr Nichols said in Tauranga. He arrived in New Zealand last November to finalise preparations for the circumnavigation, due to begin •from Auckland on January 3.

The expedition will include detours along rivers in both the North and South islands to study New Zealanders’ dependency on rivers and lakes for electricity, food, transport, leisure and tourism. This will include floodprevention schemes and the damage caused by pollution.

Team members will produce reports on flora and fauna, geology and agricultural interests in

the areas they pass through. Mr Nichols, a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, will lead a team which at this stage includes an American, Greg Waldrop, and a New Zealander, Shane Blake. Mr Nichols says he is looking for a “fit” New Zealander with mechanical skills to join the voyage, as well as sponsors. The crew support will be headed by Helen Aitchison, of Tauranga, who will be based in Auckland for the North Island section of the circumnavigation and in Queenstown for the South Island leg.

The two hovercraft to be used on the voyage are among five being imported from Britain. They are due to arrive in kitset form late October. After being assembled they will be tested on Waitemata Harbour.