A strange Person in the Camp.

[FERRYSEA]

Having posted on The Facebook Rigid hull Inflatable Boats ( RHIBs ) SIBs and small powerboats Group I was invited to join F-RIBS & SIBS.com
I think it is only fair to explain why I am the 'Strange Person in the Camp'
I am not a Seafarer by any stretch of the imagination & RIBS & SIBS are really not what ' rocks my boat ' ...... I am very much an Aviation Person & anything that can be flown really gets me 'excited'

Now you must all be thinking " What is the person doing on our BB? " I will explain
I am currently the only person who legally owns a Flying RIB in the UK with UK registry I managed after a lot of talks with the Civil Aviation Authority to get an agreement to operate a Flying RIB within the UK. In any other EU Country this isn't really a big deal but here in the UK it was a major coup.

I have managed to secure the acceptance for FIB's (Flying Inflatable Boat) by the UK CAA & as the only person to achieve this I have sole rights on the Airworthiness Data relevant to getting these accepted in the United Kingdom.

As my opening gambit implied " I am not that au fait with the idiosyncracies of RIB or SIB operations " so with that in mind I am looking for folk who would or might be interested in getting into a Synergy where they can oversee the Marine side of how to safely operate and perhaps market the FIB to those who have an interest in RIB's & SIB's but would like the added bonus of it also being a Flying Machine.

I have all the Aviation Background needed for the Aviation side of legally & safely operating a FIB and have Aviation sales background to be able to put this to market from an Aviation perspective.

Since joining the Facebook Rigid hull Inflatable Boats ( RHIBs ) SIBs and small powerboats group I have received some pretty encouraging private messages & I am giving serious thought to setting up a THREAD on this BB so everyone can bounce around ideas on the subject.

I have already received an Expression of Interest from someone on the Facebook Group who seemingly has the right credentials to move this forward from a Maritime perspective....... I look forward to any input from anyone who can see viability in this idea, I didn't actually join either site to do a Marketing exercise....though the enthusiasm is such that I felt it best to look at all ideas & proposals.

MTIA,
Ferrysea.

[Stray]

Let me know if you develop a vertical takeoff version. I could then launch from the back garden.

[FERRYSEA]

Let me know if you develop a vertical takeoff version. I could then launch from the back garden.

Stray,
That is called a Helicopter on 'Floats'

What I am getting into the marketing of will take off from most peoples gardens

40mtrs is the minimum distance needed to get airborne ( everybody into boats have a bigger garden than 40mtrs I would imagine )

[warder54]

My lawn is 85mtrs but too lumpy - but if I flooded it!?!

[Stray]

Mine's 40ft .................. if I cut 10ft off the tape measure, and I'd have to move the washing line for the Helicopter.

I liked the idea after I saw Simon Reeve in one in a program about the Caribbean.



Reality for me though is that I might get a ride in one, one day.

[FERRYSEA]

Behind the Scenes a lot is happening with regards to getting another FIB to the Marketplace, after persisting with getting a Polaris based FIB accepted by the CAA in the UK for Private use I have since the increased enthusiasm I have witnessed on the messages I have received.

I have now moved this further forwards by now having 'in principle' an agreement for certification for Commercialised operations with EU Aviation Authorities.

It is looking very much like a Partnership will be getting formed where I will oversee the Aviation side of the Company & the proposed partner who has the Maritime knowledge will be responsible with overseeing the water-based side of the Company.

There are a few considerations that will be hopefully thrashed out in terms of how we take this to market.
My Aviation mind works on the basis that to cover all potential customers we would need a ' Entry Level ' FIB, a ' Intermediate Level ' FIB & then the ' Executive Level ' FIB.

I was shown a Concept RIB today that with a few aerodynamic mods would probably end up being the ' Sports ' version if we can stay within sensible pricing.

The Boating fraternity are from what I have seen over the last days a far more enthusiastic bunch than the Aviation fraternity are.
Quite a few Boatee's have said " It looks a crazy idea, but I want a go in one " everyone seems keen to want to have a go once we set up a business to market these FIB's.

I think a Market Research Poll might be needed to see what the end user thinks is the way forward.

[enzo200500]

This makes fascinating reading, keep the updates coming please sir!