Engineers challenged to design greener boats

Competition to accelerate introduction of hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vessels

Engineering firms have been challenged to come forward with innovative hybrid technologies for the marine sector.

Hybrid designs have come to the fore in automotive applications, but have taken longer to emerge on boats and yachts.

Now the Royal Thames Yacht Club in London is trying to stimulate activity in the area through higher awareness of a maritime award that recognises developments in hybrid power. It is hoped that expansion of the Mansura Trophy will lead to the faster development of boats and yachts that have lower emissions, reduced fuel consumption and quieter operation.

“The trophy can act as a showcase for prototype designs or as recognition of an in-service vessel,” says Jack Edwards, the chairman of the trustees for the trophy. “We hope that it will propel emerging technologies such as new types of batteries, battery demand management systems and hydrogen fuel cells. There are already some firms such as Solar Albatross in Australia and African Catamarans based in the Netherlands that are excelling in the development of hybrid technologies and we hope to encourage others to come to the fore.”

Vessels eligible for consideration for the Mansura Trophy, which is sponsored by Bosch Engineering, must have at least two independent sources of propulsive power and the final drive system must be electrical. For the 2012 competition, vessels must be launched and in commission not later than 30 November. There will be two separate divisions: ocean-going and coastal hybrids, and lake and inland waterways hybrids.

• See www.mansuratrophy.com/da/106269 for more details.