Perth native John Mollison (57) joins Team Britannia, the British bid to design and build the fastest and most fuel-efficient powerboat to circumnavigate the globe.
T
The ground-breaking semi-wave slicing design of the boat will see the 20 tonne vessel carve through the waves, rather than surfing them. The super-efficient design, a variant of the “fast displacement hull” will reduce fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent and make the 23,000 nautical mile trip smoother and faster.
While the two race-tuned Fiat Power Train C13 500, 6 cylinder engines will run on a unique blend of diesel, water and surfactant. The emulsified diesel, which has been developed in the UK, will help the boat to extend it range while producing less pollution than diesel on its own.
Ocean racing legend and skipper of Team Britannia Alan Priddy commented: “John has a real flair for adventure, and his endurance, as demonstrated through the many extreme challenges he has undertaken, makes him a valuable addition to the team. Team Britannia now boasts an impressive rank of wounded and injured veterans, which gives us all the more to be proud of.”
John added: “I would love to bring the world record back to Britain, but first and foremost I am in it for the camaraderie. I am joining an excellent team faced with an exciting challenge, and I cannot wait to see it through to completion.”.
The boat will be crewed by a team of 12, including five wounded or injured veterans on each of the seven legs of the voyage, who are being supported by Blesma (British Limbless ex-Servicemens’ Association).
John, one of the liberators of Port Stanley in the Falklands War, lost a leg after stepping on an anti-personnel mine two days after the conflict came to an end in 1982. Since then he has undertaken many challenges to raise money for charity, including an attempt to single-handedly row the Atlantic ocean and completing an extreme trek through the Gobi desert.
The boat, which is being built at the Aluminium Boatbuidling Company on Hayling Island, is expected to be launched in the summer, before undertaking an extended programme of sea trials to ensure it exceeds all safety requirements, before setting off on challenging journey.
The record attempt will get under way in October 2017 in Gibraltar, using iconic Europa Point as its timing mark.
Alan concluded: “We are entering an exciting phase of the project where we have got all our ducks in the row. The boat is nearing completion with the hull being turned, and in the next couple of weeks we will start to kit her out with the latest navigation and communications equipment, the six fuel tanks, engines and jets.
“While work on the boat has been steaming ahead, we have taken the time the complete the selection of the crew, both those who will do the full voyage and those who will do a couple of legs. All of those selected have undertaken or will undertaken lifesaving sea survival training and RYA powerboat level 2. They have also demonstrated a commitment to the project and bringing the world record back to Britain."
“I am confident that we have an outstanding crew with the right mix of experience, tenacity and humour, because this is no pleasure cruise and we will face many challenges and tests – so getting the team right will make the difference between beating the current record and not.”
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:
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, cross the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator 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 October 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 Everywhere
Batteries – Mastervolt
Total crew – 20 (12 onboard with 5 rotating on and off the boat plus 3 shore based)
Crew clothing - Sebago
For more information and regular updates visit: www.teambritannia.co.uk or @team_britannia
For media inquiries, please contact:
Alistair Thompson of Media Intelligence Partners
alistair@mippr.co.uk | 07970 162 225