The world’s first hydrogen-powered flying boat that can soar three feet above the water’s surface will be built in Dubai next year.
Here are a few interesting facts about the ‘The Jet ZeroEmission’:
1. The eco-friendly vessel makes no waves, zero noise, and appears to ‘fly’ 80cm above the water at a speed of 35-40 knots.
2. The vehicle is set to be powered by two hydrogen fuel cells that produce no emissions as it sails smoothly over the waves ‘in silence’.
3. The Jet will also use ‘hydrofoils’ – wing-like blades underneath the hull that cuts through the water as the boat speeds up, creating an uplift, similar to the aerofoils used on airplanes.
4. Once built, The Jet will span 32 feet, weigh 6 tons and be able to transport up to 12 passengers plus a pilot over waters at cruising speeds of up to 40 knots, or 46 miles per hour.
5. The Jet will mainly be dedicated to serving hotels and ‘exclusive individuals’, and will be available in the ‘most glamourous spots in the world’.
6. No estimated date has been officially announced about the launch of the boat.
7. The Jet’s designer, Switzerland-based start-up THE JET ZeroEmission, has signed an agreement with the UAE’s Zenith Marine Services to manufacture the vehicle.
8. THE JET ZeroEmission was founded by French yachtsman Alain Thébault, and has been able to secure part of the required funding of 10 million Euros (AED41.4 million) as part of the agreement.
9. Alain Thébault, Founder of THE JET ZeroEmission, says: “Dubai is an ideal destination for innovators and companies from around the world to develop their innovative projects and reach their desired success, which is why we have announced ‘The Jet’, a project that I had the privilege of conceiving with the team.”
10. The move is part of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, the city aims to produce 75 per cent of its energy requirements from clean sources by 2050.
