UK student designs 'green superyacht'

by Stephen Hurrell. Published Tue 28 Jul 2009 10:09, Last updated: 2009-07-28

The Soliloquy is virtually carbon neutral

A pioneering ‘green superyacht’ has been designed by a 23-year-old UK student.

Alastair Callender, of Callender Designs, came up with the idea for a yacht built using only sustainable materials, and which produces nearly zero carbon emissions, in his final year at Coventry University.

The yacht, called Soliloquy, is 58 metres long and is powered using wind, solar and hybrid marine power (HMP) technology. This leads to lower carbon emissions and drastically reduced fuel costs. During a period of 12 hours in sunlight, Soliloquy can run to nearly eight knots on solar energy alone.

Soliloquy features solar panels on pivots, drastically changing the shape of the superyacht depending on which form of renewable energy is being used.

The superyacht has not yet been built, but is expected to cost the same as normal, less environmentally friendly superyachts, and Callender is in talks with potential investors about the possibility of constructing Soliloquy.

Australian marine energy company Solar Sailor sponsored the project. CEO of Solar Sailor Dr Robert Dane said: "When Alastair approached us to sponsor his final year major project, we were immediately impressed by his resume and the concept itself seemed a perfect match with Solar Sailor.

“As a result, Alastair has developed a radical 58-metre, rigid-wing superyacht, powered by our solar, wind and hybrid marine power technologies."

Callender, a keen sailor, believes the superyacht would be popular with eco-conscious yacht owners. He said: "In this ever-increasing environmentally conscious time, I wanted to focus my attention on looking at possible solutions to some of the current problems associated with the superyacht industry.

“Eco-luxury should no longer be viewed as an oxymoron. 'Soliloquy - the Super-Green Superyacht' shows that this ideal is viable.”

He added: “Soliloquy brings all the luxury one would expect of a superyacht, without the noise, vibration, fuel costs and vast pollution levels of a motor yacht, nor the crew manning levels needed of a cloth-sailed rig.

Every opportunity to be environmentally responsible has been ensured.”