A Liverpool-based company have launched what they believe is the world’s first zero emission litter and debris collection vessel.
Water Witch have been building pollution control workboats for this purpose for decades, but their latest innovation means that for the first time waterway maintenance and debris retrieval can be zero-emission as well as cost-effective. This has been made possible by the rapid improvement in electric boat drives over the past few years, which now give the range and durability required for this type of work.
Jackie Caddick, Director at Water Witch, said: “We have been working to integrate electric propulsion for some time, but the breakthrough was the reliability and range of the Torqeedo system. We are passionate about the environment, and we see this technology as a critical step towards being carbon-neutral in our efforts to keep plastic pollution from entering our oceans and landing on our beaches.”
The company has a reputation for innovation in this sector, with a number of ‘world firsts’ since they launched in the 1960s, and for this launch have teamed up with Torqeedo, who are themselves at the forefront of electric boat drive technology. The propulsion system for the boat consists of the Torqeedo Cruise 10 outboard motor, two Torqeedo Power 48 lithium-ion batteries and cockpit control panel that gives the operator an at-a-glance view of system status, including range at current speed.
Full story – http://www.freight-online.co.uk/sectors/maritime/news/green-vessel-cleans-ports-without-polluting-air