17 Nov 2022
Round Britain eRIB today announced that Lyme Regis Town Council will be their first official Gold level sponsor. This sponsorship provides vital funds enabling the team to progress preparations for the Challenge event next Summer.
In 2021, in response to concerns about climate change and the environment the Town Council created a new Environment Committee to focus on and develop initiatives to influence change at a local level. With this sponsorship of local teenager Harry Besley in an inaugural electric circumnavigation of Britain in Summer 2023, the Environment Committee is now proactively supporting the debate around the transition of the marine industry to zero emission propulsion.
The Round Britain eRIB Challenge is aiming to encourage the installation of eBoat charging pedestals at a number of locations around the UK, and the support from Lyme Regis Town Council will help the Challenge gather momentum. Locations who install eBoat charging pedestals will be able to engage their communities through discussions on net-zero, raising awareness of the innovation and technology available for the electrification of water craft, and supporting local boat builders, engineers and sailing clubs in delivering their own zero emission agendas.
The Round Britain eRIB team is based around Lyme Regis and includes 17 year old skipper Harry Besley who, as his parents and grandparents before him, has been sailing and driving boats at Lyme Regis all his life. Harry is being supported by Jim Thomas, an active member of the Lyme Regis Sailing Club, a powerboat instructor and leader of Jurassic coast fossil walks. Jim has previously been a helm for Lyme Regis RNLI, member of the Coastguard and Geography teacher at Woodroffe School.
The project team would welcome contact from anyone interested in being involved in the Challenge and encourage them to take a look at the website and contact Jaqui at jaqui@roundbritain-erib.org.
This project will:
Support the Clean Maritime Plan target that all new vessels being ordered for use in UK waters are designed with zero emission propulsion capability by 2025
Enable more local sailing clubs, marinas, harbour authorities, port operators and private owners to access eBoat charging facilities
Showcase the potential of eBoats in UK Coastal waters
Set a baseline for eBoating capabilities in 2023 and set a target for future Challenges
“I’m incredibly grateful to Lyme Regis Town Council for this sponsorship, every sponsorship like this puts us one step closer to making this Challenge possible.”
Harry Besley
Round Britain eRIB Skipper and Marketing Manager
“Lyme Regis Town Council is keen to support this exciting project aiming to put more electric boats in the water and help establish a national electric boat charging capability.”
Cllr Philip May,
Vice-chairman of the Environment Committee
About
The Round Britain eRIB challenge is an environmental project aiming to support leisure and small commercial operators in the marine industry in their transition to a more sustainable future. The Challenge involves a 17 year old RIB skipper attempting to drive an electric boat around the coast of Britain in Summer 2023. This will demonstrate the capabilities of electric propulsion systems for use in UK Coastal waters.