By
Alex Smith |
Regent Craft, developer and manufacturer of Seaglider vessels, has partnered with the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS), the regional transport partnership for the Highlands and Islands in Scotland, to explore the potential deployment of Seagliders in the region.
The collaboration will focus on data sharing and assessing how Seaglider craft could enhance Scotland’s transport network, providing environmental benefits through reduced carbon dioxide emissions and greater ease of travel across coastal communities.
“Our work with HITRANS is an exciting opportunity to showcase to Scotland and the highlands communities the potential human and environmental benefits Seaglider vessels could have on coastal transportation,” said Adam Triolo, vice president of commercial business development at Regent. “Regent’s Seaglider technology is an all-electric sustainable solution that could transform the way people transit this area of natural beauty. The HITRANS team are leading an important and innovative mission in the region, and we look forward to growing this partnership together.”
The Viceroy Seaglider, designed to carry up to 12 passengers and two crew, operates over water in three modes: hull, hydrofoil and flight in ground effect. Measuring 55 feet in length with a wingspan of 65 feet, it is set to become the largest all-electric flying machine built to date. The vessel is expected to offer shorter journey times and lower costs than existing modes of transport, alongside lowered emissions.
“This is a hugely exciting prospect for transport in the Highlands and Islands,” said David Holden, regional sustainable aviation manager at HITRANS. “Regent are bringing much needed innovation to coastal transportation which has the potential to transform how people travel across the Highlands and Islands in the future. We look forward to continuing to collaborate and help to realise the vision of Seaglider travel for the people of Scotland.”