Is it a bird? Is it a boat? This vessel ‘flies' above the water
Tackling carbon emissions from shipping has proved a tricky challenge. Artemis Technologies has a potential solution. Spun out from the renowned America Cup winning Artemis Racing, Artemis Tech developed the eFoiler, the world's first commercially viable, zero emission propulsion solution for high speed maritime transport. The technology lifts the boat out of the water so that it 'flies' across its surface.
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Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Electric hydrofoil ferry begins trials in Orkney
A small, electric passenger ferry is beginning a three-year trial in Orkney. The vessel uses new hydrofoil technology and could cut travel times between islands significantly. The ferry has been built by Artemis Technologies in Belfast and the £15m trial is part of the Electric Orkney project - funded by the UK government's Zero Emission Vessel and Infrastructure (Zevi) fund. If it is approved to carry passengers, the ferry will operate from Kirkwall to the islands of Shapinsay, Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre. Orkney Ferries will begin testing the 12m (39ft) ferry this week to see how it performs in the sea conditions around the islands. The hydrofoil technology lifts the hull of the vessel above the water, enabling it to travel at high speed. If the Zevi boat performs well it is expected to begin carrying passengers later this summer. "This is a trial and we need to find out how well this new technology will work here," said Orkney Islands councillor Melissa Thomson, who chairs Orkney Ferries. "We are very hopeful this could be a game-changer for faster travel between the islands if things go well." Service manager for Orkney Ferries, Eddie Barclay, said the Zevi boat would be put through its paces by experienced local mariners for the next two months. "We need to see how it performs in different sea states and conditions," he said. "The waters around Orkney can be challenging so it will certainly test her handling capabilities." A second larger hydrofoil vessel is due to arrive in the islands at the end of this year. A new fast electric charger is being installed at Kirkwall's harbour which will charge the Zevi's batteries in about one hour. More stories from North East Scotland, Orkney and Shetland Listen to news from Orkney on BBC Sounds The electric hydrofoil is a high-tech addition to Orkney's ferry fleet, but it does not remove the urgent need to replace the islands' ageing internal ferries. Its arrival coincided with the latest meeting of the Scottish government's internal ferry replacement taskforce for the area. It is currently chaired by Finance Secretary Shona Robison who welcomed the arrival the electric ferry. The Scottish government has contributed £3m towards supporting the Zevi trial and also the council's business case for new ferries. Ms Robison said the local authority had plans to introduce eight new vessels in total which would help both tourism and the local community. Orkney to get two electric ferries for trial
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Port hosts electric ferry demonstration. Can we expect to see that service in Olympia?
About 50 people, including Port of Olympia commissioners and other area elected officials, were on hand Thursday afternoon to see and ride on an electric passenger ferry at the Port Plaza dock on Budd Inlet's West Bay. The port hosted the event and now the questions begin, including: What would it take to introduce the service here and provide it for destinations north of Olympia? That work will begin with a market study to determine the demand for such a service, said Mike Reid, the port's community and economic development director. He's not certain the ultimate destination would be Seattle, but it might be Des Moines, connecting travelers to shuttles or light rail as they make their way to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. By traveling by ferry, travelers could avoid the unpredictability of Interstate 5 traffic and the cost of parking for an extended stay, Reid said. 'I actually think we could be competitive in that market,' he said. The port's event began at 3 p.m. Meanwhile, the Artemis EF-12 Escape Water Taxi was busy getting its batteries charged at Swantown Marina on East Bay. It then headed north, turned left and came south on West Bay quickly and quietly before it banked hard and pulled up to the Port Plaza dock. 'The vessel combines a number of different technologies,' said David Tyler, co-founder of Artemis Technologies. 'It has electric propulsion units, high-voltage batteries that have been developed from the automotive sector, and hydrofoils, which are basically a wing under the water. As the boat accelerates, it creates lift, pops a boat up out of the water, reducing the drag and providing a huge efficiency saving.' The vessel on hand was specified for 12 passengers, but can accommodate up to 30, Tyler said. The Belfast-based company is also working on a 150-passenger boat that is expected to be launched later this year. Although the company is based in Europe, its North American division is in Brooklyn, New York, and the business recently entered into a memorandum of understanding for manufacturing services with Delta Marine, a luxury boat builder in Tukwila. Here's the important part: The water taxi can travel about 50 nautical miles on a one-hour charge at a speed around 25 knots, he said. At slower speeds, it can cover about 100 miles on the same charge, Tyler said. Artemis undertook a similar demonstration between Bremerton and Port Orchard, Tyler said. That trip normally takes about 10 minutes, but they completed it in two-and-a-half minutes, spending a couple of dollars in electricity in the process, he said. 'I think once you start to provide a better service to people on the water, both in terms of ride comfort and speed, then you can really start to grow demand for ferry services and build the market,' Tyler said. For any of this to happen, Port Commissioner Jasmine Vasavada envisions that the port would need help from the state or elsewhere to pay for the upfront costs of the vessel, but would benefit from the lower operating costs of an electric ferry. Her understanding is that the water taxi on display represents $250,000 in savings to operate here versus a traditional fuel-powered vessel, she said. The state took steps to help ferry services this past legislative session, said state Rep. Lisa Parshley of Olympia, who was at Thursday's demonstration. House Bill 1923 sought to increase the availability of passenger-only ferries by establishing the Mosquito Fleet Act, so named for a boat-based transportation service that used to exist in Puget Sound. 'Expand the types of entities that can form a passenger-only ferry service district, as well as the locations where they can be formed,' the proposed legislation reads. Although that bill died in the Senate Transportation Committee, it has not gone away, and lawmakers are expected to revisit it during the next legislative session, Parshley said. Parshley seemed more than ready to embrace a local ferry service after a recent drive north to the University of Washington in Seattle took four hours. 'It took me two and a half hours to get to the Sea-Tac exit — two and a half freaking hours — and then another hour and a half to get to where I needed to go,' she said.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
As WA ferries falter, a hydrofoil water taxi makes waves in Seattle
The Brief The FF-12 water taxi, developed by Artemis Technologies, is an all-electric, hydrofoiling vessel designed to deliver faster, quieter and more energy-efficient trips across the water. The Belfast-based company recently held a demonstration run between Bremerton and Port Orchard. A route that normally would take around 10 minutes was completed in just two minutes and thirty seconds. With a $2.5 million price tag — about 1.5 times the cost of a traditional diesel boat — it's not cheap. SEATTLE - As Washington's ferry system continues to face a shortage of vessels and resources, and water taxi runs across Puget Sound are increasingly cut back, commuters are left searching for reliable alternatives. Now, a futuristic-looking vessel docked at Seattle's Bell Harbor Marina may signal a breakthrough. Keep reading to learn more about this new kind of vessel and how it could become the future of Seattle's public marine transit. The EF-12 water taxi, developed by Artemis Technologies, is an all-electric, hydrofoiling vessel designed to deliver faster, quieter, and more energy-efficient trips across the water. (FOX 13 Seattle) What is the EF-12 water taxi, and what can it do? Big picture view The EF-12 water taxi, developed by Artemis Technologies, is an all-electric, hydrofoiling vessel designed to deliver faster, quieter and more energy-efficient trips across the water. FOX 13 Seattle got a firsthand look at the high-tech craft on Monday and what could become the future of public marine transit. "Not only can these boats be greener and cleaner than the current ferries here like the high-speed ferries with Kitsap Transit and King County, they can also be cheaper for the taxpayer." David Tyler, co-founder of Artemis Technologies A vessel that uses less energy Local perspective The Belfast-based company recently held a demonstration run between Bremerton and Port Orchard. A route that normally would take around 10 minutes was completed in just two minutes and thirty seconds — all for the cost of a few dollars in electricity. According to Tyler, the EF-12 uses hydrofoiling technology — essentially underwater wings — to lift the boat above the surface, dramatically reducing drag. This e-foiling system allows the vessel to cruise up to one meter above the water. Not only does that make for a smoother ride, but it's also significantly more energy efficient. "We're using anywhere between 70 and 90% less energy," noted Tyler. At full capacity, the EF-12 now on display in Seattle seats 30 people, but Artemis has bigger plans. They've signed a manufacturing partnership with Delta Marine in Seattle to build a larger version that can carry up to 149 passengers, comparable in size to current Kitsap fast ferries and King County water taxis. The EF-12 water taxi, developed by Artemis Technologies, is an all-electric, hydrofoiling vessel designed to deliver faster, quieter, and more energy-efficient trips across the water. (FOX 13 Seattle) A 'game changer for maritime transport' Dig deeper Tyler describes the boat as a "game changer for maritime transport," combining aerospace-style flaps, high-voltage electric batteries from the auto sector and yacht racing hydrofoil technology. The vessel is so fast, it even outpaced FOX 13 Seattle's drone camera during Monday's demo. "It's very quiet … electric motor … so you can have a conversation with the person next to you," said Tyler. "It's a really amazing way to travel on board the water." The sleek, futuristic design may remind some of a sci-fi movie or a James Bond scene. And with a $2.5 million price tag — about 1.5 times the cost of a traditional diesel boat — it's not cheap. But Tyler insists the upfront cost pays off quickly. He argues a busy operator could pay back in three years with what they save on fuel. The EF-12 water taxi, developed by Artemis Technologies, is an all-electric, hydrofoiling vessel designed to deliver faster, quieter, and more energy-efficient trips across the water. (FOX 13 Seattle) Zero operational carbon emissions Big picture view With aging fleets across the state and rising pressure to decarbonize, Tyler says the interest is already strong. "We've been contacted by certain people here," he shared. "They're excited about the opportunity given the funding, and they're really looking for the right solutions." "There's aging fleets everywhere," he added. "A lot of people are looking to decarbonize their operations, but I think sometimes they have trouble to know which direction to go in." Artemis Technologies is hoping to provide that direction, offering what they claim is the world's first commercially viable e-foiling system for marine transport that produces zero operational carbon emissions. "There's definitely less pollution. There's no oil, no diesel going into the water," said Tyler. "That's really why we're here: to support that fleet to transition to a greener future." With Washington often called the ferry capital of the U.S., Tyler sees Seattle as a natural fit. "Seattle has an amazing ferry community because of the natural geography … ferry transport really makes sense." The Source Information in this story came from Artemis Technologies and FOX 13 Seattle's original reporting. MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE Inmate escapes police at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Jamie Tompkins claims Seattle police scandal was a setup. Here's why 3 small WA businesses voted most worth a 1-hour drive 2 new trails connect Redmond transit station to King County park WA joins lawsuit against RFK Jr., Trump administration for dismantling HHS To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
