An 18-year-old has completed a never-before-attempted journey around Britain in an electric RIB.

Harry Besley travelled approximately 1,708 nautical miles in his boat Electra over 31 days, 20 hours, and 46 minutes.

He stopped at more than 45 locations across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

Along with his cousin and crew member, Henry Cietak, they became the first to round Land's End in an electric boat.

Mr Besley said: "The support we have received from sponsors, harbour and port teams, and members of the public at all our stop locations, as well as on our social media postings, has been so encouraging.

"There has been a real sense of positive interest in what we have been trying to achieve.

"This was particularly welcome on some of our trickier legs where limitations on time, tides, and charging proved difficult and often kept us up for much of the night."

The young skipper's mission was to enthuse, educate, and push for a greener future in marine transport.

Mr Besley and his ground support crew, who travelled 2,981 miles in their 100 per cent electric MAXUS T90EV pick-up truck, set out with a clear mission.

Project manager Jaqui Besley said: "Right from the start, we have intended to help the marine industry move towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future, accelerating the change and encouraging industry investment.

"Demand in the eMarine sector needs to increase in order to give manufacturers confidence to move forward with new products, and to give harbours and ports a reason to invest in shore side charging."

The Round Britain eRIB Challenge, supported by a range of companies across the marine sector, has raised considerable awareness throughout.

Ms Besley said: "Our eRIB 'Electra' proved her worth, as we tested the capabilities of an electric boat further than ever before - changeable sea conditions affected by wind, tides, currents, and headlands.

"I hope the propulsion system team will benefit from the experience of seeing their equipment perform over these longer distances and over consecutive charge and discharge cycles."

The project is involved in a collaboration between The Green Blue, the Royal Yachting Association’s environmental outreach programme, and South Hams District Council.

This is a survey-based study aimed at recreational boat users, gathering data around fuel use, attitudes towards electric propulsion, and needs and behaviours around engine use.

As Mr Besley reflects on his A-Level results, received the day after arriving back at Lyme Regis, he is seeking as many boating opportunities as possible during a well-earned gap year.

The Round Britain eRIB team are now looking to sell their special boat, Electra.

They describe the silent electric motor as a game-changer in safety and training on the water.

As this is a not-for-profit challenge, all the kits will now be sold online.

Proceeds will be used to cover direct project costs and any surplus will be donated to marine charities.

Mr Besley said: "We 'fast' charged from existing AC infrastructure at 30 of our stop locations so people shouldn’t be put off.

"With the right equipment shoreside, fast charging is certainly a viable and immediate possibility."