British skipper, Phil Sharp, hopes to take part in the Ocean Race with the first hydrogen-powered racing boat, the OceansLab. The boat, developed over a 12-month period, has been approved by Lloyd’s.
With over 25 podium finishes in transatlantic and coastal races, and three world sailing speed records, Phil Sharp is a seasoned skipper. He has embarked on the OceansLab project, developing a cutting-edge 60-foot (18.28 m) hydrofoil racing yacht in the IMOCA class. Its unique feature is an innovative hydrogen-electric system featuring a 15 kW hydrogen fuel cell (developed by his company Genevos), green hydrogen, solar panels, hydro-generators and lithium-ion batteries.
The founder of Solar Impulse, Bertrand Piccard, is the boat’s patron and one of Phil Sharp’s strongest allies. “This hydrogen project is to show that it works and demonstrate to other people how to use it. Even if I come from the world of aviation, I follow very closely what is happening on the sea. I hope that [OceansLab] will carry this spirit of clean technology and clean energy around the world very soon.” Stated Swiss explorer Bertrand Piccard.
Today, Sharp is launching a call for sponsorship to complete the existing base of technological partners (Government of Jersey, Maxeon, Bretéché, Musto, OceanVolt) in order to secure the future of this project. Phil Sharp is aiming to take part in the biggest international ocean race for the first time, The Ocean Race Europe in 2025 and the World Race in 2027.
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Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Mariem Ben Tili
