17 Dec 2022
Round Britain eRIB has today announced that MDL Marinas will be a Gold sponsor for the challenge. MDL’s support will help 17-year-old skipper, Harry Besley, showcase the challenge RIB during the build up to the event next summer.
The Round Britain eRIB challenge, which is scheduled to start at Lyme Regis, Dorset in July/August 2023, aims to shine a light on the potential of electric boats and boating by attempting to circumnavigate Great Britain by electric RIB. Skipper and project leader Harry Besley also hopes to become the youngest person to drive a powerboat around Britain, and the first person to skipper an electric one.
This phenomenal challenge originated from the lack of options for alternatives to fossil fuel propulsion in the small leisure powerboat market. The electric RIB, currently in production for the challenge, will be used to demonstrate the capabilities and potential of electric propulsion.
MDL Marinas is supporting the challenge by providing space at its Green Tech Boat Show (21-23 April) for the Round Britain eRIB team to display the Challenge vessel. The show, hosted at MDL’s Ocean Village Marina in Southampton, will provide an ideal opportunity for visitors to learn more about the Challenge and help raise awareness of the need for more sustainable boating practices.
“The transition to a more sustainable leisure boating market is something we’re helping to drive forward through initiatives such as our Green Tech Boat Show, and the creation of electric cruising corridors with the installation of electric boat chargers across our network,” says Tim Mayer, Sales and Marketing Director at MDL Marinas.
“With a goal and overall mission so in tune with our own, we’re delighted to be supporting Harry and the Round Britain eRIB Challenge and look forward to sharing his stories and progress as he makes his epic voyage.”
MDL will also be providing berthing and charging for the challenge eRIB at its Hamble Point Marina during the pre-challenge sea trials.
Harry Besley, comments: “We are very grateful to MDL for providing this sponsorship. A large part of the Challenge is to raise awareness of the need to transition to sustainable boating, support from an organisation like this goes a long way, so thank you.”
Round Britain eRIB is backed by several key industry bodies including: The RYA, British Marine, British Ports Association, The Yacht Harbour Association, UK Harbour Masters Association, and The Green Blue.
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.