United Kingdom

Nigel Irens Design Ltd

<a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/energy-observer">Energy Observer</a>, the first self-sufficient vessel using renewable energy sources to produce hydrogen from seawater with zero CO2 emissions and zero fine particles, is due to leave her home port of Saint-Malo in Brittany, France, over the next few days on the first leg of a global voyage to test and promote renewable energy technologies. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/113341/image/large-b45305d8660d06b897574aba279d26f6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/113341"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5044" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Energy Observer31.08m (101'12&quot;)Canadair1982">Energy Observer</a> began life as Formula TAG, the maxi-multihull designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4520" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nigel Irens Design Ltd (Company)">Nigel Irens</a> that was the first sailing boat to break 500 miles in 24 hours in 1984. She has been heavily modified to harness green electricity from solar and hydrokinetic sources and electrolytically split water molecules to release the hydrogen, which is fed into a fuel cell to produce energy in an electrochemical reaction to power the vessel’s electric motors and onboard services.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/113342/image/large-b6503e093871439344045689e1ec1f66.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/113342">Having already covered 18,000 nautical miles since her launch in 2017, including a visit to the Arctic, the 4-year expedition will include three ocean crossings amounting to a total distance of over 20,000 nautical miles. The first stage will take the multihull to Toyko for the upcoming Olympic Games, then on to San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, aiming to test the 30.5-metre catamaran’s green energy systems not just in extreme conditions but also over very long distances.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/113340/image/large-7458f1a4394c20082883c77d2b871ff9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/113340">During the winter the floating laboratory has undergone a series of technical upgrades to increase her green energy output. The array of solar panels has been enlarged with more efficient photovoltaic cells; a second fuel cell by Toyota with a maximum capacity of 114kW has been added; the Oceanwings sail system developed by VPLP has been tweaked; and her fixed pitch propellers replaced with automatic variable pitch propellers by Brunton.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/113339/image/large-3afab1f59f7ab41f724613e134262367.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/113339">“These improvements still have to be thoroughly tested at sea,” says Hugo Devedeux, the development engineer on the project and a permanent crew member. “But even using the new fuel cell at 50 percent for optimised efficiency gives us around twice the net power when you consider the original fuel cell was just&nbsp;22kW.”<img src="/uploads/store/photo/113338/image/large-26966cd8eaf7e13ca61e20ef0b0e45d8.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/113338">The Energy Observer team is also working on a 12-metre, hydrogen-powered tender equipped with Toyota fuel cells. Currently in build at Hynova Yachts in the south of France, it will take part in the Solar Energy Boat Challenge in Monaco at the beginning of July and make its boat show debut in <a href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cannes Yachting Festival - 2020">Cannes</a> in September.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/113344/image/large-77d9d7c6467e4b38d73d16bee4ae5281.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/113344">Hydrogen is widely regarded as the fuel of the future and fuel cell technology is filtering down to the superyacht sector with projects like<a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/112m-aqua-hydrogen-superyacht-design" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">&nbsp;the hydrogen-powered Aqua concept</a> by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/926" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design (Company)">Sinot Yacht Architecture &amp; Design</a>. We went aboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5044" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Energy Observer31.08m (101'12&quot;)Canadair1982">Energy Observer</a> just days before her departure to find out more about its hydrogen technology and the relevance for yachting. The article will be published in the March/April edition of SuperYacht Times.&nbsp;

Zero-Carbon yacht Energy Observer ready for world voyage

 The first self-sufficient yacht Energy Observer is due to leave her home port to start her global voyage promoting renewable energy technologies. 

Zero-Carbon Energy Observer ready for world voyage

British company Vantage Catamarans - comprised of the Nigel Irens Design and Christophe Chedal Anglay teams - has recently revealed their latest unique catamaran design. Measuring 27.91 metres, she has been designed for a British owner who intends to use the vessel to reach some of the world’s most remote locations, where he will use a motorbike to explore new areas.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/158250/image/large-11d586c2c7dbb91c0e3d196175141522.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/158250">To ensure this dream is realised, she will host an expansive toy locker specifically commissioned for her owner. The locker is capable of housing two motorbikes, and can also be utilised for toys and tenders. Furthermore, an alternative function for the space as an additional cabin is also offered.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/158251/image/large-762be6ddcbdfcb6cc77e91cc6994cfe3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/158251"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/158252/image/large-f64314b1e7de5176d2a5839e37da9920.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/158252">Just some of her most attractive characteristics include the assurance of conformity to the MCA code for small craft engaged in commercial operations, allowing her to be offered for charter. She accommodates up to eight guests in total, as well as a crew of four.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/158253/image/large-aa52513ab60baa8efa4c843a805c7c76.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/158253"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/158254/image/large-ec619e115a5bdc9efe3cee24455bb9d2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/158254">“The Vantage 86 is unique in its intention and form, designed to break the mould of what a modern cruising catamaran represents,” says Phil Scott, managing director of Vantage Catamarans. “It is designed to perform, and combine a racing pedigree with the comfort of a stable charter yacht. Its goal is ‘adventure’. It will provide the most adventurous way of exploring the ocean and its secrets.”By Gemma Fottles

New Vantage 86 catamaran design 

British studio Nigel Irens Design has today revealed two unique trimaran explorer concepts designed in collaboration with the CMN shipyard and French designer Christophe Chedal-Anglay. Named the Origin 575 and the Xplore 70, the all-aluminium designs follow the launch of the Ocean Eagle series of power trimarans in which Nigel Irens Design and CMN previously collaborated on.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157841/image/large-7dd2ee14a151292a56480d6532c32a63.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157841">Accommodating up to 10 guests as well as a crew of eight, the interior arrangement of the 57.5 metre Origin 575 can be customised to suit owner’s requirements. There is deck space for a mini-submarine and a 4.5 metre tender, whilst the stern garage offers storage for a 6 metre tender and personal watercraft. She will have a range of 4,000 nm at a speed of 18 knots, and will offer a top speed of 27 knots.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157842/image/large-cce9251da4ba0869901d34199ecdc441.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157842">The 70 metre Xplore 70 offers a larger platform with enhanced capabilities, additional space and a larger range of 5,000 nm. Also accommodating up to 10 guests as well as a crew of eight, she features a helicopter deck as well as space for larger tenders and a mini submarine. The additional deck space is able to accommodate containerised units ideal for rapid role enhancement whether it is a research laboratory, aquarium or a dive-centre.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157843/image/large-e342541d9ec40895b5689dfa35a967d5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157843">Nigel Irens Design comments on the radical new configuration, highlighting the potential increase in comfort and efficiency when compared to traditional explorers: “With a firm emphasis on comfort, speed and ocean crossing capability, the new trimaran configuration is significantly more efficient than a conventional monohull at a given speed, leading to improvements in both fuel consumption and range, as well as an exceptional level of comfort - even in moderate to rough sea conditions.”<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157844/image/large-3aac42654dbf8c87bf190371ea2ed5a7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157844">Thierry Regnault of CMN shipyard continues, “The trimaran architecture allows rapid ocean passage to remote destinations at reduced operating costs. The sea trials have also demonstrated a comfortable motion in moderate to rough sea states.”By Gemma Fottles