The Hovercraft (General) Order 1972

Operating Permits

18.—(1) Hovercraft registered in the United Kingdom shall not be used for reward or in connection with a trade or business, otherwise than under and in accordance with a Permit (hereinafter called an “Operating Permit”) granted to the operator of the hovercraft under paragraph (2) of this Article. Operating Permits shall be granted with a view to securing the safe operation of the hovercraft. However this Article shall not apply to a hovercraft operating in accordance with an Experimental Certificate issued pursuant to Article 9.

(2) The Secretary of State may grant or renew to any person applying therefor an Operating Permit for the operation of hovercraft of the types and in relation to the areas of operation specified in the Operating Permit for the purposes so specified. The Operating Permit may be granted subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State thinks fit to impose with a view to securing the safe operation of hovercraft and shall remain in force for such time as may be specified in the Operating Permit or until suspended or revoked by the Secretary of State and may be renewed from time to time by the Secretary of State for such further period as he thinks fit. The Secretary of State may vary an Operating Permit on application by the holder.

(3) The conditions to which the Operating Permit may be subject may include, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing paragraph, conditions in respect of the following matters—

(a) crew complement and qualifications;

(b) type of hovercraft;

(c) area of operation;

(d) restrictions with regard to working hours and rest periods of crew;

(e) safety arrangements at hoverports or terminal areas;

(f) the weather conditions in which the hovercraft may operate;

(g) day or night operation;

(h) life-saving equipment and procedures;

(i) other equipment and procedures necessary for safety of operation;

(j) radio and radar;

(k) the keeping of records.