People sunning themselves on the beach , saw the Vickers VA-3 Hovercraft ferry skimming over the water during a preview for members of the press . On 20 July the hovercraft will begin an eight week trial passenger operation , taking passengers from Rhyl across the Dee Estuary to Wallasey , Cheshire . Running six days a week , excepting Tuesdays , the world's first public hovercraft ferry will carry 24 passengers and a steward . Fares for the 25 minute crossing will be 瞿1 for the single trip and 瞿2 for the return trip . 17 JULY 1962