An electric boat which is set to travel around the UK has announced their first 'Gold' sponsor for the trip - Lyme Regis Town Council.

The Round Britain eRIB challenge will be undertaken by 17-year-old skipper Harry Besley, and the sponsorship allows Harry to buy provisions to prepare for his inaugural electric circumnavigation of Britain in summer 2023.

The Round Britain eRIB team is based around Lyme Regis. Skipper Harry Besley who, like his parents and grandparents before him, has been sailing and driving boats at Lyme Regis all his life.

Harry is being supported by Jim Thomas, an active member of the Lyme Regis Sailing Club, a powerboat instructor and leader of Jurassic coast fossil walks. Jim has previously been a helm for Lyme Regis RNLI, member of the Coastguard and a geography teacher at Woodroffe School.

The Lyme Regis Town Council Environment Committee is now proactively supporting the debate around the transition of the marine industry to zero-emission propulsion.

In 2021, in response to concerns about climate change and the environment the Town Council created a new Environment Committee to focus on and develop initiatives to influence change at a local level. Locations who install eBoat charging pedestals will be able to engage their communities through discussions on net-zero, raising awareness of the innovation and technology available for the electrification of watercraft, and supporting local boat builders, engineers and sailing clubs in delivering their own zero-emission agendas The Round Britain eRIB Challenge is aiming to encourage the installation of eBoat charging pedestals at a number of locations around the UK, and the support from Lyme Regis Town Council will help the Challenge gather momentum. The project team would welcome contact from anyone interested in the challenge. contact Jaqui at jaqui@roundbritain-erib.org or visit Round Britain eRIB (roundbritain-erib.org)