The Untold Story of SRN4 Hovercraft Princess Anne Damaged by Storms

By Gareth Jones

Posted on September 11, 2023

In September 1978, the SRN4 hovercraft Princess Anne was damaged by storms while crossing the English Channel. The incident occurred on September 15th, and the hovercraft was carrying 18 passengers and crew at the time.

The Princess Anne was struck by a wave that caused the hovercraft to lift off the water and then crash back down. The impact of the crash caused extensive damage to the hovercraft's hull and superstructure.

The Princess Anne was able to make it back to shore under its own power, but the damage was so severe that the hovercraft was retired from service. The Princess Anne was the last of the SRN4 hovercraft to be built, and its retirement marked the end of an era for hovercraft travel.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) conducted an investigation into the incident and found that the storm conditions were the cause of the damage. The MAIB also found that the Princess Anne's crew had taken all reasonable steps to avoid the storm.

The Princess Anne was a popular tourist attraction, and its retirement from service was a disappointment to many. However, the MAIB's investigation found that the damage to the hovercraft was so severe that it was not possible to repair it.

The Princess Anne is now on display at the Hovercraft Museum in Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire, England. The museum is a popular tourist attraction, and the Princess Anne is one of its most popular exhibits.