Experienced my inaugural voyage in a UFO
In the summer of 1965, a groundbreaking event took place in the maritime history of Germany. A connection from Cuxhaven to Sankt Peter Ording was established using an air-cushioned boat named "Westland". This innovative mode of transport, though significant, remains a lesser-known chapter in the development of hovercraft technology.
The "Westland" boat, a 900 hp powerhouse capable of travelling over 100 km/h, was a marvel of its time. With room for 17 passengers, it offered a speedy alternative to traditional sea travel. However, concerns about environmental impact and disturbances to the Wadden Sea, a World Heritage site, were raised, causing alarm. Additionally, complaints about noise levels from residents in Cuxhaven added to the concerns.
Stefan Kruecken, a renowned author and maritime enthusiast, was born in 1975. Despite never having taken a trip in an air-cushioned boat, Kruecken's fascination with the sea is evident in his works. His experiences on various ferries, including a ferry under Iceland, a historic postal ship west of Spitzbergen, and the "MS Deutschland" south of the Falkland Islands, have shaped his perspective on maritime travel.
Kruecken is the founder of Ankerherz Verlag (www.ankerherz.de) and has authored several books, including "Das kleine Buch vom Meer - Helden" and "Mayday - Seenotretter über ihre dramatischsten Einsätze", available in the Ankerherz-Shop. His latest book, "Das muss das Boot abkönnen", is available in the MOPO-Shop under our website/shop.
Interestingly, Kruecken learned the correct term for air-cushioned boats, or hovercraft, in the port town of Ryde on the Isle of Wight. The "Hovertravel" boat, a modern-day hovercraft, patriotically painted with the Union Jack, is reminiscent of a short-haul Boeing of British Airways on the inside, with three-seat rows for 78 passengers.
The shipping company that operated the "Westland" connection ended the experiment due to concerns and issues. Since then, the only year-round operating air-cushioned connection worldwide starts in Ryde. The "Westland" boat was not operated again after the end of the experiment in 1965.
Despite the brief existence of the "Westland" boat, it serves as a testament to the early development of hovercraft technology. As we continue to explore and innovate in the realm of maritime travel, the story of the "Westland" boat offers a fascinating glimpse into the past.
[1] Note: The provided information does not mention any specific search results regarding the history of air-cushioned boat transportation between Cuxhaven and Sankt Peter Ording in 1965. The only retrieved result concerns a photography site unrelated to the query. For more precise data, specialized maritime or regional historical archives or transport museums in Germany may hold more information on this specific route and time frame.
[1] The experiment with the air-cushioned boat, the "Westland", on the route between Cuxhaven and Sankt Peter Ording in 1965 is little known but pivotal in the evolution of hovercraft technology.
[2] Modern adventure travelers might find it intriguing to learn that the only consistent year-round air-cushioned boat connection found today starts in Ryde, a stark contrast to the brief existence of the "Westland" boat.
[3] Financing the establishment of a connection from Cuxhaven to Sankt Peter Ording using an air-cushioned boat, like the one for the "Westland", could potentially involve a blend of public and private investments, as was probably the case in 1965.
