Team Britannia has signed a major partnership agreement with the GAC Group to ensure that all their logistics needs are met in their bid to break the round-the-world powerboat record when they set sail later this year.
In its role as Team Britannia’s official shipping and logistics partner, GAC will draw on the local contacts and expertise of its network of global offices and partners to provide the 80ft powerboat and its 12 strong crew with all the food, fuel and stores needed to complete the 23,000 mile voyage. The first-hand experience of the Group’s yachting and marine leisure experts at GAC Pindar Superyacht Services will also come into play for meeting the specific needs of the boat during its voyage.
The agreement was signed today at GAC’s UK marine leisure logistics and superyacht services hub in Southampton by team principal and ocean racing legend Alan Priddy and GAC’s Superyacht Services Manager, Murray Bishop.
Mr Priddy commented: “This partnership with GAC, one of the leading and most respected global providers of shipping and logistics services, will help us smash the world powerboat record."
“With over 9,000 people at more than 300 offices in 50 different countries they have the capacity and experience to make sure that when we need entry into a port, transit through Panama or Suez, to load fuel and other stores, there is no delay – because every minute we spend waiting with the engines idle is wasted time.”
Mr Bishop added: “Supporting Team Britannia in their world record attempt is a natural fit for GAC Pindar Superyacht Services. It will draw on our global network, resources and expertise as we assist this high profile boat on its voyage through the Pacific and Indian Oceans, across the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas, through the Panama and Suez Canals, and at every port of call along the way, to provide port agency, canal transit assistance, fuel supplies, crew travel management and logistical support."
“We look forward to helping Team Britannia reduce their time in port wherever possible to help them in their bid to set a new record.”
The news of the partnership comes less than 100 days before Team Britannia sets off on its world record attempt from Gibraltar at the end of October.
The boat has been designed by Professor Bob Cripps, former Technical Director of VT Halmatic. It will slice the waves, rather than surfing them, with its super-efficient design, a variant of the “fast displacement hull”. This reduces fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent and should make the 23,000 mile trip smoother.
In addition to the fuel efficient design the vessel will be powered by a revolutionary fuel emulsion developed by Clean Fuel Ltd, a mixture of diesel, water and emulsifier, 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.
Construction of the 80ft boat is well underway on the south coast at the Aluminium Boatbuilding Company. The boat’s 38 aluminium frames were fixed into a special upside down jig in June. Last month the wheelhouse and protective skin, or plating for the hull was cut, and work started welding them together. Once the six 5833 litre fuel tanks have been slid into the hull, the whole boat will be turned through 180 degrees, ready for kitting out.
In total there are more than 300 pieces of metal that will be welded together by master boatbuilder Paul Johnson and the Aluminium Boatbuilding Company on Hayling Island.
Mr Priddy concluded: “Like every major project or record attempt the key to success is about having the right people involved. And this particular challenge is as tough as they come. It has only been tried three times before and is at the pinnacle of endurance motorsport.
“That is why I am so pleased to have assembled a crack team, from the designers, boatbuilders, crew and GAC. Everyone involved will play a vital part in our success in breaking the current record held by Kiwi Pete Bethune, just shy of 61 days.”
The boat will be launched in September 2016 and will then commence two weeks of sea trials, which will include sailing round Britain and London to Monaco, arriving in time for the famous boat show.
After the Monaco Boat Show, the boat will travel to Gibraltar, for a final programme of sea trials. At this point the boat will also be “stripped” of all luxury items.
Finally on 23rd October 2016, after a weeklong nautically themed festival in Gibraltar, 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, cross the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator 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 using recycled metals and cut by specialist firm Aalco in Southampton.
The whole construction process is expected to take around three 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 on 23rd October 2016 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 – 8mm
Build weight – 15 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
Crew – 12
For media inquiries, please contact:
Alistair Thompson of Media Intelligence Partners
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