A SOUTHAMPTON firm has manufactured the biggest hovercraft in the UK since the 1970s.

Woolston-based Griffon Hoverwork built the 30m craft for the South Korea coastguard where is will be used to save lives off the coast of the Asian country.

The BHT 150 is the eighth and largest hovercraft the South Korea coastguard has ordered from Griffon Hoverwork. It will be used in the Incheon region for border patrol, search and rescue and airport crash rescue.

Griffon Hoverwork managing director Adrian Went said: “I am very proud of my team’s achievement, for winning and delivering an export requirement to a country that is considered to be one of the world’s manufacturing powerhouses.

“The BHT 150 Hovercraft built for the South Korean coastguard is a fantastic example of British engineering. Not only is it the largest craft that Griffon Hoverwork has built, but the largest built in the UK since the cross channel ferry craft of the 1960s and 1970s.

“It will become a critical part of the South Korean maritime rescue and security capability.”

Capable of carrying a crew of 12 and 188 passengers, the BHT 150 is capable of reaching speeds in excess of 40 knots.

The hovercraft is the most suitable vessel for the water conditions and environment of the Yellow Sea. The large area of shallow water and wetland is also liable to freezing in the winter months, making patrol of the coastline almost impossible with a conventional vessel.

The craft will add to the coast- guard’s capabilities allowing it to patrol shallow water, sandbanks and mudflats.

It has also been specially designed to cope with the extreme temperatures that can affect the region and can travel for 300 nautical miles.

The new BHT has two propulsion engines and two lift engines with an endurance range of up to 300 nautical miles, allowing the coastguard to complete long-range duties without returning to base.

Additional equipment includes double life rafts, RIB, crane, camera, loud hailer and flashing orange beacon.