Cremyll ferry to go electric
Plymouth based Voyager Boatyard will receive funding to design and build an electric ferry that will operate on the commuter route between Plymouth and South East Cornwall, UK.
The funding comes from Innovate UK, a fund set up with £191 million to award to help develop innovative projects. This funding award follows after the successful conversion work on a small, diesel work boat into a 12 passenger design powered solely by electric energy by the yard. The team at Voyager Boatyard have taken full advantage of quieter times, caused by COVID-19, to focus on the development of zero-carbon, fully electric propulsion systems for the domestic passenger vessel and under 24m commercial workboat sector.
It is planned for this larger, 150 passenger capacity vessel to be able to operate for up to 14 hours a day on a single charge which will make the ferry suitable for the short ferry route across The Narrows on the west side of Plymouth Harbour. This Cremyll ferry route is currently operated by Plymouth Boat Trips using diesel powered boats. Voyager Marine and Plymouth Boat Trips will be working with Solis Marine Engineering, a team of expert naval architects, to create a clean hydrodynamically efficient hull form that maximises use of the stored energy available.
The e-Ferry will be designed and built to effectively operate in a congested maritime environment, with strong tidal conditions, rough seas, and challenging berthing locations. It will also include additional zero-carbon solutions such as photovoltaic panels or similar renewable energy sources.
Project Leader, Andy Hurley said: “We have used the down time to apply for funding, that will enable us to further develop our zero-carbon agenda. Following the success of e-Voyager, we’re delighted to move to the next phase and, once again, lead the way towards a sustainable marine future with e-Ferry.”
Simon Hindley, Managing Director of, Falmouth based, Solis Marine Engineering, said: “Projects which advance the zero-carbon agenda and marine renewables sector are central to our work. For this project, we will be working in partnership with Pelagic Design to deliver an optimised low resistance design which helps to advance the use of clean energy in the South West.”
By Dag Pike
