An Olympian with two gold medals is skippering a bid to make (Belfast Harbour) the UK a world leader in zero-emissions passenger ferries.

Sailing champion Iain Percy is combining his own know-how from designing America’s Cup racing yachts with expertise from the maritime, aerospace and F1 racing industries to develop what he calls a “plane underwater”.

Southampton-born Percy, 43, has chosen Belfast – a city with a rich shipbuilding (see: H&W story) and aircraft construction heritage – as the location for the eco-friendly hydrofoil technology.

His consortium – which includes leading manufacturers such as Bombardier UK and universities and local councils in Northern Ireland – is currently vying for a £30 million Government grant to part-fund a £60 million research and development project.

The green-energy ferries will use the same hydrofoil technology that has transformed America’s Cup sailing in the last decade.

For much more Belfast Telegraph reports on this ferry development. 

In addition Afloat previously reported on related story of Artemis Technologies joint venture with Percy to develop the world’s first zero emissions workboat.