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The EPS M10 Hovercraft, built at the company’s facili- ties in Titusville, Fla., was launched in late 2010 and was shipped to its final destination in early January 2011. According to EPS, this is the first vessel of its kind to be built in America and launched in its waters. The EPS M10 is constructed of non-corrosive, fiber-reinforced advanced composites which are environmentally friendly and pro- vide significant reduction in operating, maintenance and through-life costs. The EPS M10 Hovercraft is a fully amphibious, air-cushioned vessel that can operate effec- tively at sea, in shallow waters and over any land surface. It is powered by two 1,000hp diesel engines which provide lift and operate its propellers, giving speeds in excess of 40 knots. EPS builds these crafts under a license from ABS Hovercraft Ltd. Existing vessels are in operation with var- ious military and commercial customers. Environmental features include: • No hot exhaust gas discharge into the water • No propellers, jets, shafts or exhausts in the water; marine flora and fauna remain undisturbed • Virtually no wake produced, thereby eliminating beach and coastal erosion • Extremely low pressure contact with sea or land; a fully loaded vessel creates a downward pressure of less than 20% of a man’s footprint • Polluting anti-fouling paint is not required as the hull remains above the surface. Photo courtesy EPS Corporation 12 MN March 2011 BOAT OF THE MONTH EPS Corp. Launches First EPS M10 Hovercraft Specifications: Hull construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Single Skin FRP Deck and superstructure construction . . . . . . . . . . . . .FRP Sandwich Length (operational) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 ft Length (skirt deflated) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64.6 ft Beam (operational) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 ft Beam (skirt deflated) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24.5 ft Cushion height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.3 ft Off cushion draft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.6 ft Maximum calm water speed (lightship) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 knots Maximum calm water speed (fully laden) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 knots Range (calm water) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Up to 500 nm Engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2x MAN water cooled D2842 LE211 Propellers . . . . . . . . . . . .2x 4 bladed controllable pitch air propellers Disposable load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10,000 Kg Crew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Minimum of 2 Bow ramp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2+ meter clear opening
