Pictures: Hybrid powerboat builder garners awards
The Swiss marine engineering firm Hydros Innovation won a pair of awards from the International Powerboat Association.
A non-profit, public-interest marine design and engineering group has been awarded two prizes for its contribution to advancing environmental innovation in boat design.
Swiss-based Hydros Innovation picked up the 2015 Environmental Award for its energy-efficient HY-41 hybrid powerboat prototype as well as the Environmental Benefit 2015 special mention to the company’s ‘Hydrocontest’ student competition from the Union Internationale Motonautique (International Powerboat Association, or UIM).
Jérémie Lagarrigue, CEO of Hydros Innovation and founder of the Hydros Foundation, an accredited non-profit, public-interest organisation, accepted the prizes on behalf of both his organisations.
Speaking about the awards, Raffaele Chiulli, President of the UIM, said: “Power-boating truly acts as a laboratory for the nautical industry. We test innovative materials, environmentally friendly technologies, and moreover, we can induce more sustainable and respectful behaviors.
“The HY-41 and the Hydrocontest are the reflection of the values we hold and are a fantastic demonstration of how you can raise awareness about these planetary challenges, while leading towards efficient industrial applications.”
According to Hydros Innovation, the HY-41 prototype (above) was conceived as the spearhead for environmentally friendly yachting, with the goal of reducing pollution from pleasure boats without impairing their performance. With its retractable foils and customisable transmission system, the HY-41’s fuel consumption can be reduced by at least 30 percent without sacrificing performance or comfort.
The HY-X (top) its smaller-scale experimental prototype, had already attracted a great deal of interest when it was unveiled at the end of 2014. One year on, the HY-41 is being put into production by a partner of engineering firm Hydros Innovation, and will soon be available to order.
The second Environmental Benefit 2015 award went to the Hydrocontest competition that brings together universities, institutions and industrialists to create innovative boat designs focussed on energy efficiency.
The UIM, according to a statement, honoured the Hydrocontest for its “environmental benefit” in seeking to encourage thinking about development in this sector and for its desire to help the most promising projects see the light of day.
In 2016, for the third year in a row, the Hydrocontest and its 250 participants from twelve different countries will unveil the latest innovations they have developed in Switzerland, between 24 and 31 July 2016.
The awards ceremony was held on Saturday, 5 March, at the Monte Carlo Sporting Club. HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco was on hand along with members of the international powerboating community.
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