Lloyd’s Register (LR) is to provide certification and advisory services for 12-passenger Viceroy seagliders from all-electric seaglider manufacturer Regional Electric Ground Effect Nautical Transport (REGENT).
Pioneering maritime mobility
Seagliders are maritime vessels that operate a few meters above the water’s surface, combining the higher speeds of a light aircraft with the low operating costs of a maritime vessel.
REGENT’s all-electric seagliders have been designed to reduce the time and cost of transporting people and goods between coastal destinations. According to the company, the hydrofoiling wing-in-ground (WIG) craft brings together technology from multiple industries – including electric propulsion, hydrofoils, modern vehicle controls and fly-by-wire systems – to update WIG capabilities, providing wave tolerance, safe operations and passenger comfort.
Path to certification
Taking a risk-based approach in the absence of existing rules and regulations, LR will support REGENT through the maritime certification process, including advancing its design basis agreement (DBA) with the US Coast Guard and defining the certification pathway for non-US seagliders. This process and the engineering data derived from this partnership will help define LR rules for future WIG vessels, including REGENT’s 100-passenger Monarch seaglider. REGENT aims to have humans on board its 12-passenger seaglider prototype in 2024, with vehicles to market by mid-decade.
“REGENT’s dedication to safe and sustainable solutions is providing the maritime industry with innovative zero-emission passenger vessel seagliders that could transform the future of coastal travel,” said Mark Darley, chief operating officer (COO) of Lloyd’s Register. “LR is excited to join with REGENT to proactively set international certification standards for new maritime transportation as the industry evolves.”
“LR’s certification marks significant progress in REGENT’s compliance pathway toward maritime operations,” said Ted Lester, vice president of certification at REGENT. “LR’s expertise in classification and compliance services, as well as its commitment to safety and advancing the path to net-zero emissions, make it an ideal partner for ensuring seagliders meet required global standards now and in the future.”
In related news, Lloyd’s Register (LR) recently awarded approval in principle (AiP) to Seaspan Corporation for its feeder ship design. Click here to read the full story.