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Displaying items by tag: Potential Affect

According to Manx Radio, two huge wind farms proposed for the Irish Sea would have serious implications for ferry operator the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.

Managing Director, Brian Thomson, says the Mona and Morgan wind farms would cut across the company's routes to both Heysham and Liverpool.

The contract to build the farms has been won by BP and a German firm as a 50-50 joint venture, and would generate sufficient electricity to power 3.4 million UK homes.

Mr Thomson says the Steam Packet and other operators in the Irish Sea are involved in consultations, but if the farms go ahead in the areas proposed, there would be consequences.

Click this link and scroll down page for a podcast from the ferry's M.D.

Also Manx Radio yesterday reported that Tynwald, the Manx parliament has approved an additional spend of £32.6m towards completion of the new Liverpool terminal, see previous story.

For further reading on this separate yet ferry related story, click here and again scroll down the page to listen to several podcasts.

Published in Ferry

About Electric outboard engines

The direct-drive component in electric outboard engines means that the electric motors are incredibly efficient compared to conventional marine combustion motors, operating with considerably higher torque whilst using less power.

Without any need for gears, cooling systems and moving parts the motors are maintenance free, highly efficient and economic to run.

As a result, electric boat engines are becoming more popular on Irish waters as the world transitions from fossil fuels to green energy.

To date, popular electric engine sizes have been trolling engines typically used by fishermen on lakes.

These marine engines are available in models that can be used in fresh water and sea water, for your boat or kayak.

Electric motors are Ideal for fishermen because they are quiet and create little in the way of disturbance 

Popular electric trolling models range from 30lb thrust to 55lb thrust in a range of shaft lengths.

But use is becoming broader now in 2021 and electric outboard engines are being used on small runabouts and RIBS where electric outboard engine sizes are getting bigger.

Outboard electric engines are economical and environmentally friendly. Battery technology is also improving at a rapid rate meaning they are becoming smaller and lighter and run for longer.

Built in hydro-generation provides alternative recharging options whilst under sail are also options meaning the electric outboard now has a home on the stern on small yachts and dayboats too.

As far back as 2014, Torqeedo owner Jack O'Keefe from Cork Harbour told Afloat readers of his sailing adventures in a Drascombe Coaster dinghy and how after swapping from a petrol version the rewards from his new electric outboard engine are less noise, no smells, more stowage, better sailing performance and a motor that can be started by a small child. But it's still not silent, there's a whine he says here 

Popular brands in Ireland are Torqeedo, ePropulsion, Pulsar and Minn Kota but there are more arriving all the time as the technology advances