Brittany Ferries, one of the leading passenger and cargo ferry operators between the UK, Ireland and Europe, has signed on to a developing concept for an electric-powered ‘sea glider’ that ride a wave of air just above the water.
The concept, being developed by a Boston firm called Regent, is for a 50 to 150-passenger seaplane that could travel from Portsmouth to Cherbourg in 40 minutes against the present eight hours for the company’s large ferries. The larger ships, which have room for hundreds of passengers and their cars as well as cargo would still operate that service.
The ‘sea gliders’ would take advantage of the ‘ground effect,’ the cushion of air created by high-pressure air trapped between the wings and the ground or water while flying at low altitude.
