Electric boat on trial run

A battery-operated experimental electric boat was launched and successfully tested on Thursday.

The project is in a trial phase following the completion of laboratory tests at the University's Faculty of Engineering. The research and the development of the boat is being led by engineer Joe Cilia and a number of faculty students.

The project is being carried out with assistance of the Environment Ministry, the Malta Tourism Authority and Middlesea Insurance.

Environment Minister George Pullicino, who was given a ride on the boat (above), said the vessel represented the first phase of a project that would make it possible for small boats used for tourism tours in environmentally sensitive areas not to be operated on petrol. Mr Pullicino said the boat had all the environmental credentials as it did not emit fumes and did not generate much noise.

The next step, he said, was to build a prototype. This would lead to the development of such boats on a commercial scale, with the possible participation of private investors.

Such an initiative also had the potential of attracting international interest as well as EU funds.

The batteries on such boats could also be charged with photovoltaic panels or a small wind turbine avoiding the expenses of electricity.