Wellington teen hopes to circumnavigate UK coast in electric boat

Student Harry Besley, 18, set off on Saturday (July 13).

If he successfully completes his epic 1,600-mile mission, he will be the first person to circumnavigate the country in a vessel entirely driven by electricity.

Harry, who has been on the water for most of his life, began his journey in a rigid inflatable boat (RIB), named Electra, from Lyme Regis, Dorset.

On the trip he will visit more than 40 marinas, harbours, coastal villages, and tourist destinations which have permanent fast charging facilities to recharge the engine.

He said: "It has been good so far, a few rough days but calm ones too.

“It is a record that has never been set before, so we would be the fastest and the first to do it."

The electric boat challenge has been more than 18 months of planning.

Views from Harry's boat. (Image: ROUND BRITAIN ERIB/SWNS)

Harry's route will take him south west to Dartmouth, Plymouth, and Newlyn Harbour to Land's End.

He aims to head across the tidal Bristol Channel around the Pembrokeshire coast, before resting in Holyhead and finally crossing the Irish Sea.

Harry expects the journey to take around five weeks – though the timeline is dependent on the elements. 

Currently located in Newlyn, Cornwall, on his fourth day of the adventure, Harry says he has been able to 'raise awareness' and spark conversations about the sustainable vessel.

Harry wants his adventure to showcase the technology and raise awareness of how power boat users can reduce carbon emissions.

Harry expects the journey to take around five weeks. (Image: ROUND BRITAIN ERIB/SWNS)

He explained: "Electric boats are very new.

"But they drive exactly the same as petrol boats. 

"I had to do my training on petrol boats, and was brought up on conventional petrol boats, but I am keen to not use them for such a long distance.

"They burn so much fuel, so if you can do it in a sustainable way and raise awareness for other options, that is great.

“It is not just the petrol emissions which are damaging, there is the air pollution too and noise pollution that affects the natural habitats.

"It's getting people talking about it the alternative.

"Each of the stops we've been to so far, we talk to boaty people, invite people to have a look around it, perhaps it makes them think 'oh could we use this?'

"It gets people talking about the alternative".

Harry in his electric-powered boat. (Image: ROUND BRITAIN ERIB/SWNS)

Harry explains how he has been on the water, participating in water sports, for the majority of his life so far.

Though his advanced skills inspired him to undertake a challenge that would have significant impact.

He added: "Me and my family have been coming down to Lyme Regis since I was a child.

"Sailing, powerboating with a small boat ourselves - water-skiing, wake boarding lots of scuba diving and lots of water sports.

"When I power boating over the last few years in more extreme weather, doing more advanced stuff, I wanted to push myself a bit more and see what I could do! 

"That's how this challenge came about."

The boat is a Galaxy RIB with a Ukrainian built aluminium hull and Norwegian propulsion system from EVOY.

It was put together in The Netherlands and carries 126kWh batteries and a 150 peak horse power equivalent motor.