Zero Emission Solent Tri Foiler

The advent of electric powered cars demonstrates that the technology exists to power low drag, small craft of medium payload. This project looks to develop an electric hydro-foiling high-speed trimaran, capable of carrying up to 40PAX on coastal routes. For example in the Solent region Cowes to Southampton, or Hythe to Southampton, thus removing traffic from the roads. Research shows to date that a very low drag, hence low power requirement, Trimaran Foiling ferry has the potential could reach 28knots using two electric motors and associated battery power as typically used on a modern electric family car (2 x 125kW motors). An equivalent 40 PAX carrying 'diesel powered' catamaran operating at 25 knots requires 800-900kW of power. Thus, the required power is a fraction of that required by today's diesel powered catamarans, and has the potential to be powered by zero emission electric motors. The vision for this project is to build a 12m demonstrator Tri-Foiler to prove that the concept is viable and can operate in a range of weather and sea conditions. The electrical and foiling technology will need to be proven for use afloat and evaluated for suitability as a fast ferry on the intended waterway. Following succesfull demonstration, a full-size 40 passenger carrying vessel can be developed for commercial operation which will provide a viable solution for ferry operators as a zero-emission medium size ferry. This could be used on Southampton water and eventually design iterations of the vessel can sold into the wider fast ferry market, both in the UK and abroad. Our demonstration period will now be during April 2025, as per discussion with our project monitoring officer and Innovate UK.