Solar-powered yacht capable of sailing around the world without stopping to refuel is unveiled by Swiss designers
- The electric SolarImpact yacht is topped with enough solar panels to cover a full-size tennis court
- This vast array of renewable generators can serve as the vessel's sole power source when conditions allow
- The 78-foot (24-metre) boat will be able to sleep ten people, including accommodation for a small crew
A futuristic, solar-powered yacht which can cruise the globe without stopping to refuel has been unveiled by its Swiss designers.
The electric SolarImpact yacht is longer than a blue whale and topped with enough solar panels to cover a regulation-size tennis court.
The boat sleeps ten people, on top of accommodation for the small crew, and is loaded with artificial intelligence that allows it to be driven by a single person.
Pictured is an artist's impression of the all-electric SolarImpact yacht. The solar-powered yacht can cruise the entire globe without stopping to refuel
The yacht is the result of five years of research by Zurich firm SolarImpact Yacht AG, which has not revealed an expected price or release date for its design.
The company claims using solar panels to power the craft cuts a significant amount of the noise generated by traditional engines.
An 800-kWh battery on board provides around 10 hours of cruising capability, which can be extended by topping up the battery from the sun during the trip.
The 78-foot (24-metre) yacht has more than 3,200 square feet (300 sq m) of solar panels on its roof, which can serve as the vessel's sole power source if conditions allow.
If sailing on a cloudier day, the vessel is loaded with a pair of 65-kW (87-hp) diesel engines on board as a backup.
It also boasts two torpedo-shaped buoyancy bodies beneath the water surface which SolarImpact Yacht AG claims to reduce the rolling and heeling of the yacht by up to 90 per cent in choppy conditions.
The electric SolarImpact yacht is longer than a blue whale, and its roof is topped with enough solar panels to cover a full-sized tennis court (artist's impression)
Pictured is an artist's impression of the SolarImpact yacht's steering wheel and control panel. The boat has enough beds for ten people, including accommodation for a small crew. It is loaded with artificial intelligence that allows it to be driven by one person
The boat features beds for ten people across four double rooms and a master suite, and is also equipped with crew accommodation.
The concept was unveiled at last week's Cannes Yachting Festival where a full 3D-model allowed potential buyers the chance to explore the vessel using virtual reality.
It is not the first futuristic yacht design unveiled this week.
The yacht is the result of five years of research by created by Zurich firm SolarImpact Yacht AG, which has not revealed an expected price or release date for its design
The yacht has more than 3,200 square feet (300 sq m) of solar panels on its roof, which can serve as the vessel's sole power source if conditions allow. If sailing on a cloudier day, the vessel is loaded with a pair of 65-kW (87-hp) diesel engines on board as a backup
A team of British engineers on Monday released designs for a £40 million ($52 million) eco-yacht that collects plastic from the ocean and recycles it.
The 'Ocean Saviour' is designed to scoop up a staggering five tonnes of plastic pollution each day and will become the first vessel ever to power itself by recycling ocean waste into fuel.
Plastic will be chopped finely, milled and processed through onboard machinery which will destroy it completely with minimal atmospheric pollution.
Designs for a £40 million ($52 million) new eco-yacht were also unveiled this week. The Ocean Saviour (artist's impression) will collect plastic from the ocean and recycle it as it sails. It features two plastic-capturing arms that funnel waste into a conveyor belt through an opening in the boat's hull
Described as 'the combine harvester of the seas', it has been designed with two booms on either side of the 70 metre-long (230ft) vessel which will funnel floating pollution into a conveyor.
The pioneering plans, revealed today at Southampton Boat Show, lay out how this will then bring the ocean waste onboard the Ocean Saviour, where it will be recycled using a high tech process.
The finely-chopped product will then be used to fuel the vessel, meaning it can power itself for months on end.
Richard Roberts, of Southampton-based TheYachtMarket, is the project's co-founder and said he was inspired to create the ship after watching Blue Planet.
The 'Ocean Saviour' is designed to scoop up a staggering five tonnes of plastic pollution each day and will become the first vessel ever to power itself by recycling ocean waste into fuel. Pictured is an artist's impression of the conveyor belt through which the vessel picks up plastic pollution
He said the show's shocking portrayal of waste in the oceans encouraged him 'to do something practical' about the problem.
'It's staggering to think there is currently over five trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean which is having a huge detrimental impact on our ecosystem and the ocean's biodiversity,' he said.
'It's essential we remove plastic before it breaks down into micro plastics and, through Ocean Saviour, we aim to help eradicate the ocean of this problem.
'They should be going up and down our coastlines all the time - they could be the combine harvesters of the seas.'
Superyacht boasts a helicopter landing spot and glass bottomed pool for beach-style parties
- The SVY Griggio 52-metre Supply Vessel was unveiled by Italian shipyard Rosetti Superyachts
- The yacht can sleep ten guests and in the master bedroom there is a walk-in closet and hammam
- Along with the glass-bottomed pool, other amenities on the boat include a gym, sauna and steam bath
A new concept superyacht boasts a glass bottomed pool, with a helicopter landing pad allowing visitors to zip in for a dip if they please.
The SVY Griggio 52-metre Supply Vessel, unveiled by Italian shipyard Rosetti Superyachts, boasts ample space to entertain.
The helicopter landing pad can be transformed into a large beach club-style area and there is a lounge located under the pool, with sunlight streaming through the glass structure.
A new concept superyacht boasts a glass bottomed pool, with a helicopter landing pad allowing visitors to zip in for a dip if they please
The SVY Griggio 52-metre Supply Vessel, unveiled by Italian shipyard Rosetti Superyachts, boasts ample space to entertain
Particulars from Rosetti Superyachts note that the main sundeck 'provides a generous sunbathing area and comes complete with dining services, food lift from the galley and the option of a forward open-air cinema'.
There are more sundecks and relaxation areas on the upper levels, which further 'exploit the outside'.
Moving indoors, there is a main salon with a chaise longue extending the length of the room and two comfortable sofas. Neutral-coloured furnishings give the boat a light and airy feel.
Luxury touches include wood panelling, lengths of marble and polished brass detailing
On the main deck, there is the galley with dedicated access for the crew and a master stateroom. The swanky sea pad houses a walk-in wardrobe, a private study, a bathroom and its own hammam
In the main salon there is a chaise longue extending the length of the room and two comfortable sofas
Neutral-coloured furnishings give the boat a light and airy feel. Luxury touches include wood panelling, lengths of marble and polished brass detailing
On the main deck, there is the galley with dedicated access for the crew and a master stateroom.
The swanky sea pad houses a walk-in wardrobe, a private study, a bathroom and its own hammam.
On the yacht's lower deck, there is accommodation for eight guests in four cabins with double beds or twin singles.
In the front of the lower deck there are berths for the same number of crew, while the captain's cabin is on the upper deck next to the wheelhouse.
A view of the dining area, complete with a modern metal screening and a marble-topped dining table
The helicopter landing pad can be transformed into a large beach club-style area and there is a lounge located under the pool, with sunlight streaming through the glass structure
Many of the rooms have been finished with large wrap-around windows, to maximise sea views.
Along with the glass-bottomed pool, other amenities on the boat include a gym, sauna and steam bath.
The yacht is currently in the concept stage and there is no word on if the designs will become a reality or what the build cost would be.
Preliminary design specs state that the yacht would be powered by two 1080kW engines, achieving a cruising speed of 12 knots or 16 knots when it's at full pelt.
The yacht is currently in the concept stage and there is no word on if the designs will become a reality or what the build cost would be
Preliminary design specs state that the yacht would be powered by two 1080kW engines, achieving a cruising speed of 12 knots or 16 knots when it's at full pelt
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