Round Britain eRIB announces Lyme Regis as the official start location for their circumnavigation of Britain this summer

The Round Britain eRIB Challenge is scheduled for Summer 2023 and, for pre-Challenge preparation and range trials, the team will be based in the Dorset town of Lyme Regis.

The Challenge vessel will be used to demonstrate the capabilities of electric propulsion in support of development of the sector and, as part of the pre-Challenge trials, the boat will be based in Lyme Regis. During this pre-Challenge phase sponsors, local supporters, local RYA and British Marine members will be invited to visit the Round Britain eRIB team, raising awareness of some of the technology available, and supporting local boat builders, engineers and sailing clubs in considering their own zero emission agendas.

A significant part of the Round Britain eRIB project is to contribute to the development of more widespread eBoat charging infrastructure. Lyme Regis will be implementing one of the country’s first 22kW AC eBoat charging pedestals in support of the Challenge project.

The Round Britain eRIB team is based in the South West and includes Taunton based 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.

The Round Britain eRIB Challenge is backed by several key industry bodies including: RYA, British Marine, British Ports Association, The Yacht Harbour Association, UK Harbour Masters Association, and The Green Blue.

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