Maritime transport is also experiencing a technological revolution. Among speedboats, electric ferries, and autonomous ships, a proposal emerges that seems straight out of science fiction: the Sea Glider, a vehicle developed by the company Regent Craft that combines the best of a boat and an airplane. A hydrofoil capable of gliding over the water, rising, and literally flying at low altitudes, all with electric propulsion and without polluting emissions.
Hydrofoils are not new. They are vessels that, thanks to wings submerged under the hull, rise above the water at a certain speed. By reducing friction, they reach higher speeds and offer more stable navigation. They are fast, efficient, and visually spectacular, giving the impression that the vessel is "floating" over the sea.
The Sea Glider takes this idea one step further. It uses the same hydrofoil technology, but adds an upper wing with 12 electric motors that allow it to take off from the water and glide at low altitude, using the so-called ground effect.
The vehicle initially moves like a conventional boat. As it gains speed, the hydrofoils lift it above the water. And when it reaches sufficient power, its electric motors propel it into low-level flight, just a few meters above the surface.
At that point, it ceases to be a boat and behaves like a small airplane. The big difference is that it never rises to significant heights: it flies very close to the water, taking advantage of greater aerodynamic efficiency. This seamless transition between modes of transport is what makes it such an innovative proposal.
The current prototype can carry up to 12 passengers plus two pilots, with a range of 160 nautical miles (about 300 km). All with very little noise and no polluting gases, thanks to its 100% electric propulsion.
Its advantages include:
. Higher speed than a traditional boat, by reducing friction with the water.
. Zero emissions, making it a sustainable alternative to current maritime transport.
. Versatility: it can operate on coastal routes, between islands, or in areas where road or ferry connections are limited.
. Low noise level, making it attractive not only for passengers but also for military or surveillance uses.
The Sea Glider has sparked the interest of passenger transport companies, who see it as a fast and environmentally friendly alternative for short routes. But not only them: the armed forces have also shown interest, as it is a quiet, versatile vehicle capable of moving quickly between coastal points.
Regent Craft states that it hopes to have it in commercial operation by 2027. However, it's important to be realistic: a vehicle of this type must pass very strict certification processes, both in the maritime and aeronautical fields. Safety is a priority, and that will likely delay its market launch.
Even so, the first demonstration flights are already underway and can be viewed in videos available on the company's official website
and on platforms like YouTube https://youtu.be/k2uyjbb0lxA
If it manages to overcome the technical and regulatory challenges, the Sea Glider could carve out a significant niche in short-range maritime transport. Consider specific examples:
. Fast trips between islands in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean.
. Agile connections in archipelagos such as the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, or Hawaii.
. A clean alternative to short-distance ferries in coastal cities.
The most interesting thing about the Sea Glider is that it doesn't easily fit into an existing category. It's not a traditional boat, but neither is it a conventional aircraft. It's an intermediate vehicle, a hybrid that takes advantage of the best of both worlds. And that opens the door to a new form of transportation that until now we've only seen in prototypes or science fiction. Although that could also be its downfall.
A hydrofoil that can fly over water, transport passengers cleanly and silently, and offer new logistical possibilities is something that deserves our attention, and we must recognize those who developed it.
Only time will tell if it can carve out a niche in the market. I wish them the best.
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