Transport / All-electric ‘Seaglider’ craft proposed as Highlands and Islands transport alternative
AN ALL-ELECTRIC “seaglider” craft could be used to transport up to 12 passengers on routes in the Highlands and Islands if a new feasibility study proves a success.
Regent Craft, which produces the Seaglider vessels, has entered into a collaboration with Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS) to explore using the craft in the Highlands and Islands.
The partnership will initially focus on data sharing, with the first phase of the project including a feasibility study about how a Seaglider could work in the region.
The company’s Viceroy Seaglider vessel – essentially a plane that travels exclusively just over water – holds up to 12 passengers, plus two crew.
It can cross the sea in one of three modes – hull, hydrofoil, or flight in ground effect.
The Seaglider craft have a 160 nautical mile range with existing battery technology, but Regent estimates that could be upgraded to a range of 400 nautical miles with new battery technology.
Regent told Shetland News there was potential also for Seaglider trials in the area, but “nothing concrete at this stage”.
“The collaboration between Regent and HITRANS aims to explore how Seaglider craft could improve the transportation network in Scotland, bringing benefits to people and to the environment through ease of travel and reduction of CO2 emissions,” it added.
At 55ft long with a 65ft wingspan, Regent said the 12-passenger Viceroy Seaglider vessel would be the “largest-ever all-electric flying machine”.
The company has said that the Seaglider would improve on journey times as well as “lowering costs”, and would have “significant environmental benefits when compared to other modes of transport”.
No information has been provided at this stage about what routes are being explored for Seaglider use.
Regent said that the next phase of the project would see the company supporting HITRANS to gain support from relevant local authorities.
It says the Seaglider can travel at 160 knots, or 180mph, in its cruise speed. It also says the Seaglider is 30db quieter than a standard airplane.
The company’s vice-president of commercial business development Adam Triolo said the partnership was an “exciting opportunity” for them to showcase to Scotland the benefits their Seaglider vessels could have on transportation.
“Regent’s Seaglider technology is an all-electric sustainable solution that could transform the way people transit this area of natural beauty,” he said.
“The HITRANS team are leading an important and innovative mission in the region, and we look forward to growing this partnership together.”
And David Holden, who is HITRANS’ regional sustainable aviation manager, called this a “hugely exciting prospect for transport in the Highlands and Islands”.
“Regent is bringing much needed innovation to coastal transportation which has the potential to transform how people travel across the Highlands and Islands in the future.
“We look forward to continuing to collaborate and help to realise the vision of Seaglider travel for the people of Scotland.”
A low-emission aircraft described as part-plane, part-airship was proposed for passenger and freight transport in the Highlands and Islands in late 2023.
Hybrid Air Vehicles’ Airlander was supported by a range of organisations such as Loganair, HIAL and HIE in November 2023.
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