EU Hybrid Marine (HYMAR) Project To Win Award At Royal Thames Mansura Trophy Awards Ceremony

The EU Hybrid Marine (HyMar) Project – a collaborative research project led by the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) funded under the EU`s Seventh Framework Research Programme – will be receiving an award at the Royal Thames Yacht Club’s Mansura Trophy Awards Ceremony to be held on Thursday 21 March 2013 at the Royal Thames Yacht Club.

The primary aim of the HyMar project was to provide reliable and practical information about the effectiveness of marine hybrid propulsion in small craft. Extensive, practical testing of many different design concepts over the last three years has led to the development of a range of innovative technologies. In 2012, the team consolidated all of the lessons learned in a 13m test boat, the Hallberg Rassy 42 “Armorel”. The final HyMar hybrid system in Armorel is optimised for energy efficiency and is based on design principles which allow any compliant equipment to be used regardless of supplier. ICOMIA has provided HyMar with project management, scientific and technical co-ordination and technology foresight.

The Royal Thames Yacht Club Mansura Trophy, supported by Bosch Engineering GmbH, is an important biennial competition to identify and reward excellence in the design, development and operation of hybrid marine craft. The Trophy, inaugurated in 2006, is the most prestigious international maritime award presented for the latest innovative development in hybrid power. The Trophy has strong support from The Green Blue, a joint environmental initiative from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and the British Marine Federation (BMF).

In addition to the HyMar Project winning an award (the category will be announced at the ceremony) this year’s Royal Thames Mansura Trophy Medal will be presented to the European Commission in recognition of the EU funding that made the HyMar Project possible. The Mansura Medal is awarded to a national or international body that has done most to promote hybrid technology in a maritime context during 2012.

“The outstanding contribution on this occasion has undoubtedly been the far-sighted decision of the European Commission to support ICOMIA`s HyMar project” said Jack Edwards, Chairman of the Royal Thames Mansura Trophy Trustees.

Previous Mansura Medal winners include Agni Motors for the Lynch DC motor and British Electric Boat Association.Whilst previous Mansura Trophy winners from across the globe include: the South African Green Motion FastCat 445 sailing catamaran ‘African Cats’; the French-manufactured ‘Lagoon Catamarans’; Australia’s ‘Sydney Solar Sailor’; UK EnviroBoat Developments Ltd; the Canadian Tamarack Electric Boat Company’s all-electric hybrid ‘The Loon’ and American Island Pilot LLC, DSe Hybrid.

“I am delighted that the hard work and commitment of our partners and EU sponsors has been recognised by the award of not one but two international prizes by the Mansura committee” said HyMar Project leader, Ken Wittamore.

“For more than three years, the nine HyMar partners have worked together to demonstrate that advanced hybrid technology is practical and cost effective on smaller vessels. Judging by the tremendous public interest shown in “Armorel”, our Hallberg Rassy 42 test vessel, I am confident that many of the innovative HYMAR concepts will soon find their way into main stream boat building.”

For more information please contact Barbara Fountoukos, ICOMIA Communications Manager info@icomia.com