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New hydrofoiling electric watertaxi ready for orders

November 05, 2024

Artemis Technologies, developers of zero operating emission (ZOE) commercial vessels like ferries, pilot boats and crew transfer vessels, is now taking orders for its new hydrofoiling electric watertaxi, the EF-12 Escape.


Co-Founded in 2017 by CEO Dr. Iain Percy, a four-time Olympian, three-time Olympic medalist, double Olympic champion, and veteran of four America’s Cup challenges, Artemis has created a range of hydrofoiling hull platforms – 12, 20 and 24 metres long (40, 65 and 80 feet) – that employ the xompany’s all-electric e-Foiler technology.


The EF-24 (Electric Foiling) is configured in two models. The 150 person EF-24 Passenger ferry and the EF-24 CTV (Crew Transfer Vessel) which is designed for carrying work crews to remote ocean locations like wind farms.


Electric watertaxi built on EF12 platform

The EF-24 Passenger was a winner of the 2023 Gustave Trouvé Electric Boat Awards and will be going into service next year on the route from Artemis’ hometown of Belfast, Northern Ireland to Bangor, England. The electricity for the motors is all renewable, coming from an onshore wind farm.


The EF-20H has been designed specifically for high speed Coast Guard patrol boat use.


The EF-12 platform is used in a variety of applications, including as a crew transfer vessel, general workboat, patrol boat, and a pilot boat version that was developed with input from pilotage service operators worldwide. It has been ordered by ports in Belgium and Sweden.


Electric watertaxi at charging station (artist conception)


The new Escape watertaxi is a bit of a, well, escape for the company, as it is designed not for rugged hard scrabble work, but as high speed luxury water transport that provides an incredibly smooth and quiet ride for the comfort of passengers.


‘Offers passengers something unforgettable’

“The Artemis EF-12 Escape presents a way for cities and resorts to tap into their waterways like never before,” says Dr. Percy. “Whether it’s navigating water based urban environments or hopping between islands, this vessel was created to offer passengers something unforgettable.”


Hydrofoiling boats have underwater ‘wings’ that raise the craft out of the water at a predetermined speed. When the massive surface area and weight of the hull is lifted, the water friction and resistance is reduced to almost zero, resulting in huge gains in efficiency that reduce the amount of energy required to propel the boat by as much as 85%.


interior of electric watertaxi


There are benefits to hydrofoiling both inside the cabin and out. Inside, being above the waves takes away any rocking of the hull and the autonomous flight control system adjusts the foils continuously for a ride that has been likened to a magic carpet. Since the motors are actually under the water, it is also incredibly quiet.


Minimal wake for urban waterways, sensitive waters

Outside, the struts supporting the foils are the only things causing any water disturbance, so there is minimum wake. That allows the EF-12 Escape to operate at cruising speed in no-wake and limited wake zones.  This ability to speed up transport in restricted urban waterways is one of the key reasons that Stockholm recently launched a service using the commuter water taxis of the Candela company.


Read: Electric hydrofoiling service takes flight in Sweden


The smaller wake also reduces the stress on shorelines and, importantly for taxis operating in tourist resorts, lessens the impact on wildlife and environmentally sensitive waters. The lack of emissions is another bonus.


The streamlined passenger cabin and entrance spaces of the Artemis SF-12 Escape can be customized by clients for their particular audiences – anything from urban business people to eco-tourists. The Artemis site shows an example of an aircraft cabin-like interior with wide individual seats and armrests.


“This is more than just a mode of transport,” says CEO Percy, “it’s a game-changer in waterborne mobility that offers cities a dynamic, eco-friendly alternative for people to get from A to B, whilst also opening up an exciting new way for guests to visit resorts and explore destinations and minimize their carbon footprint.”


Artemis Technologies


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