A British 18-year-old is about to become the first person to circumnavigate Britain in an electric boat.
Harry Besley departed Lyme Regis in Dorset, which is in southern England, on July 13 aboard a 21-foot aluminum-hulled RIB built by Galaxy in Ukraine. It is powered by a 90kW (120-hp) Evoy electric outboard fed by twin 63kWh Kreisel batteries installed under a slightly raised deck.
The route has taken him clockwise around Britain using the Caledonian Canal.
The aim of the challenge is to highlight the marine industry’s transition to zero-emissions propulsion. He did not have a fossil-fueled support boat along, but he is being followed around the country by a support team in a couple of electric vehicles.
The RIB is capable of 35 knots, but Besley has been planing around Britain at about 17 knots and cruising at a displacement speed of 5 knots to maximize the boat’s range.
The batteries were trickle charged overnight from a standard shorepower cable or via DC charging in marinas.
Harry’s mother and project manager, Jaqui Besley, said previously that it might take him anywhere from four to eight weeks, but as of August 13 he had already passed between the Isle of Wight and the mainland just one or two days away from completing the trip in a little over a month.
You can see his route at roundbritain-erib.org
