VESSEL REVIEW | Electric crewboat prototype to support fish farm operations in Norway

Norwegian manufacturer Pascal Technologies and compatriot design consultancy Moen Marin have introduced a high-speed vessel prototype built for crew transfer duties in support of the aquaculture industry.

The vessel is notable for having fully electric propulsion with shore charging capability as a means of significantly reducing emissions during extended operations in and around fish farms. Moen Marin and Pascal Technologies are thus collaborating on the development of this and other similar vessels for aquaculture support activities in domestic and international markets.

The first crewboat to be developed under the collaboration has a length of eight metres, a beam of 2.6 metres, capacity for six people, and an electric motor connected to a 120kWh battery. The propulsion allows the boat to easily reach a maximum speed of just over 30 knots while a cruising speed of 20 knots will yield a range of 40 nautical miles.

The vessel also boasts Pascal Technologies’ proprietary hull design that combines the features of a monohull and a catamaran to generate an air cavity between the vessel and the water. The technology significantly reduces energy consumption at high speeds compared to boats with conventional hulls, extending the otherwise limited range typical of electric-powered vessels.

The system uses a fan to compress air into the cavity, which creates an overpressure that lifts the boat partially out of the water to make it significantly more energy efficient than a traditional V-hull. The builder said the air cavity provides the boat with the seakeeping and the efficiency of a hovercraft.

The technology is similar to that of traditional surface effect ships, though there are key differences such as a special hull design and a flexible flap system to keep the air inside the cavity. The entire setup is connected to a ride control system that allows operators to monitor the boat’s performance through the dashboard and through Pascal Technologies’ proprietary digital platform.

The builder added that the platform architecture is also scalable for boats from six to 30 metres in length.

Click here for more news and gear stories, feature articles, and vessel reviews as part of this month’s focus on fishing and aquaculture.