Yacht World News

Energy Observer set for world tour


A six-year expedition to circumnavigate the globe using only renewable energy and hydrogen is due to get underway in February 2017, as the Energy Observer project is nearing completion in St Malo.



This 30.5 metre catamaran is currently being fitted out with solar panels, and its hull has a strong pedigree out on the open water, having previously completed a circumnavigation in 1994.

Energy Observer will use solar power and wind turbines to power its electric motors, but the truly ground-breaking technology is using electrolysis to charge its hydrogen fuel cells, which will take over propulsion when the wind drops and the sun sets.This lightweight catamaran draws inspiration from the solar-powered plane Solar Impulse as well as some of the world’s best multihull superyachts.

Victorien Erussard, co-founder of the Energy Observer project, explained: “We are going to be the first boat with an autonomous means of producing hydrogen. For many, hydrogen is a condemned technology and the idea is to prove that these impossible things are possible.”

The project is backed by a group of French naval architects based in Grenoble, as well as the LITEN research institute and renowned environmentalist Nicolas Hulot, who formerly advised French president François Hollande.Data gathered from Energy Observer’s six-year circumnavigation will be used in the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology for the maritime, transport and domestic heating industries.

The group is seeking further funding for the trip, which is estimated to cost 4 million € per year, and 101 stop-offs are planned in Cuba, Goa, New Caledonia and many more remote superyacht destinations worldwide.

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Superyacht Design Project Norse Lands on the Market


Project Norse, an 80 metre sail-assisted exploration yacht, has grabbed the attention of yachting enthusiasts after a rugged new explorer emerged from Oliver Stacey Design, in collaboration with BMT Nigel Gee.



The two companies came together with the brief to present a fresh interpretation of the explorer vessel genre and develop a concept designed for maximum self-sustainability, global range and minimal environmental impact.

“When we were initially looking for a conceptual thread for the design, I had recently seen the Viking Voyagers exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth”, explains designer Oliver Stacey. “The extensive range and endurance of the longboat. The adventuring spirit of the Vikings. The use of sail as a secondary power source. These are the inspirational reference points which led to the development of Project Norse.”

Norse is designed around a sail assisted hybrid propulsion system. “We thought long and hard about hybrid, and how such a system might help us achieve our goals for the project.” says BMT Nigel Gee’s Yacht Design Director, James Roy. “Despite outward appearances, this is not a sailing yacht; at a time when hybrid is a buzz word in our industry, we couldn’t move away from the unmistakable truth that sail assistance is the ultimate hybrid. The final configuration makes use of a hybrid diesel electric / diesel mechanical (CODAE / CODOE) with sail assist.”
With a profile inspired by the longboat, Norse offers unprecedented access to shallow water for a yacht of this size. The vessel’s long and robust keel flat, with shallow draft coupled with a high degree of manoeuvrability, means she can access secluded anchorages normally considered off-limits to a yacht of 80m.

Norse is configured to act as an activity basecamp for a wide range of sea, land and air based activities, including heli-skiing, ski-touring, mountaineering, diving, water sports and aerial exploration. A robust gantry crane provides reliable launching and recovery of a wide range of vehicles including a seaplane of up to 12m wingspan.
The extensive tender garage deploys an array of support vessels and adventure vehicles including a landing craft, ATV, submarine and snow mobiles. With extensive stores and provisioning capacity, and a range extended by sail assistance, the vessel can operate in regions with limited or no support infrastructure for extended durations.

In line with the vessel’s long-range and extended self-sustainability, Norse is built to Ice Class 1d and complies with Category C requirements of the Polar Code. Allowing operation in light ice conditions, this capability permits summer operation in the Polar Regions for specific routes of interest, including the Antarctic Peninsula, Arctic Svalbard and Greenland.  

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