Global marine clothing company Sebago will kit out the crew on Team Britannia’s round the world record attempt
The formal announcement will be made in Portsmouth by ocean racing legend Alan Priddy. This follows the successful operation to turn over the 80ft hull of the eco boat earlier this week.
The crew will be wearing Sebago’s notorious Clovehitch shoe, and hand sewn leather Docksides on the 23,000 mile voyage. The iconic Docksides were launched more than 40 years ago and became an instant hit in the sailing community.
Alongside the Docksides shoes, the company will be providing the Team’s uniform, from shirts to trousers and jackets. All selected from Sebago’s latest range of high performing clothing.
Mr Priddy continued, “While looking the part is important we also need footwear and clothing that will perform in one of the most demanding environments imaginable, after all this is not leisure pleasure cruise, it is the cutting edge of endurance motorsport.”
Maria Vasconcellos, Sebago UK’s Marketing Manager commented: “We are delighted to be supporting Alan and the crew as their official clothing and footwear providers.
“Sebago has a long and proud association with the marine world, having supported a host of sailing events in the past from the Celebrity Regatta, Newport to Bermuda, and The America's Cup. Now we are supporting this exciting round the world record attempt. We wish Team Britannia the very best of luck.”
Team Britannia’s single hulled aluminium boat, which has been designed by Professor Bob Cripps, former Technical Director of VT Halmatic will slice the waves, rather than surfing them. A variant of the “fast displacement hull” computer modeling suggests the revolutionary design could reduces fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent.
In addition to the fuel efficient design the vessel will be powered by a revolutionary fuel emulsion, a mixture of diesel, water and emulsifier, from UK company Clean Fuel that when burnt reduces harmful emissions such as particulate matter and NOx.
Inside the boat will be the latest radar, safety and communications equipment from Raymarine and Iridium Communications.
The boat will be launched next month before commencing sea trials including round Britain. Then early next year the boat will go to Gibraltar where it will be stripped of all luxury items. Then on Sunday 12thMarch, Team Britannia will set off on their world record attempt from the famous racing mark at Europa Point.
To complete the record attempt the boat must pass through the Suez and Panama Canals and start and finish in the same place. The world record authorities, UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique) have approved Team Britannia’s proposed route, which will start in Gibraltar and call at Puerto Rico, Manzanillo, Honolulu, Guam, Singapore, Oman and Malta to take on fuel.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
About Sebago®
Established in 1946, Sebago® represents authentic product and timeless design. The original, handsewn Classic beefroll penny loafer and Docksides® boat shoe remain unchanged since they were first crafted by Sebago decades ago. While embracing their New England heritage, Sebago crafts new, modern silhouettes with the finest materials and sophisticated styling for today’s consumers.
To learn more about Sebago, visit: www.sebago.com
Team Britannia is a multi-million pound British bid to design and build the fastest and most fuel efficient semi-wave slicing powerboat to circumnavigate the globe for the much-coveted UIM world record, currently held by the New Zealander Pete Bethune at 60 days 23 hours 49 minutes.
The World Record Authorities (UIM) dictate that for a recognised circumnavigation the craft has to pass through the Suez and Panama Canals and must start and finish the journey in the same place.
The boat is a completely new design from Professor Bob Cripps, former Technical Director of VT Halmatic. It has been designed in the UK and will be constructed in the Portsmouth area out of marine-grade aluminium. It encompasses “an exceptionally efficient hull”, which will cut fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent.
In addition to the design the vessel will be powered by a revolutionary fuel emulsion, a mixture of diesel, water and emulsifying agent from Clean Fuel Ltd. This will reduce harmful emissions such as particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide.
The effects of the emulsified fuel on the engines and the emissions will be monitored for the duration of the voyage and the results published online.
The boat is being built by the Aluminium Boatbuilding Company based in Hampshire, out of marine-grade aluminium. The metal was produced by Blackburn metals and laser-cut by specialist firm Aalco in Southampton.
The whole construction process is expected to take around nine months before it starts a programme of sea trials around the UK.
The boat will also showcase nearly a dozen leading marine companies, which are supporting the project with their expertise and equipment.
Team Britannia will launch their record bid in spring 2017 from Europa Point in Gibraltar.
Boat specifications:
Length – 80 feet
Internal beam – 13 feet
External beam – 19 feet
Draft – 30 inches
Material – Marine grade aluminium, including nearly 12km of framing
Hull thickness – 8-10 mm
Build weight – 20 tonnes
Range 4,000 nautical miles
Engines – Two customised Fiat Power Train C13 500, 6 cylinders
Power – Each engine is capable of generating 500HP at 2,000 RPM
Water jets – Two Castoldi turbo drive 490 HC
Fuel – Emulsified diesel (diesel, water and a unique emulsion developed by Clean Fuel and its partners)
Navigation station – Raymarine
Communications equipment - Standard Horizon & Iridium Everywere
Batteries - Mastervolt
Total crew – 20 (12 onboard with 5 rotating on and off the boat plus 3 shore based)
Crew clothing - Sebago
For media inquiries, please contact:
Alistair Thompson of Media Intelligence Partners
alistair@mippr.co.uk | 07970 162 225