Launching the HESA hovercraft onto the power station ash dam
Off to do a reconnaissance run around the ash dam
The Survey team fits some high tech satellite equipment
Satellite and radio data transfer aerials fitted to the craft
Technician sets up satelite equipment to coordinate data with hovercraft on ash dam grid
A quick test of the equipment before we start
The hovercraft copes easily travelling over a wide range of difficult surfaces
The GPS keeps us on track over a pre-determined grid pattern
The GPS keeps us on track over a pre-determined grid pattern
The hovercraft maintains the correct course of the grid even through wooded areas
The consistancy of the ash in the dam in many areas is similar to custard
The consistancy of the ash in the dam in many areas is similar to custard
Only hovercraft can effortlessly navigate such wet soupy terrain
In other areas the hovercraft copes with a dry dusty surface to maintain the grid
Sometimes the going gets rough to stay on the grid pattern
Craft needs washing after long day on survey grid
HESA hovercraft patiently waiting for crew to return
Unusual terrain travelled easily by hovercraft
A final check by hand to ensure a high degree of accuracy of data on the grid pattern
Off we go