Maktec and Team Britannia to challenge the world record #maktecmarine #diesel #marine.

UK marine engine specialist Maktec appointed to round-the-world record attempt.

Team Britannia, the organisation behind the latest attempt to set the world-record for sailing around the world in the fastest time, has appointed Yorkshire-based Maktec Marine to provide technical support for its engine fuel and oil performance.

Maktec Marine Technical Director Mark Cornforth said the challenge is to beat the current world-record holder New Zealander Pete Bethune’s time of 60 days 23 hours 49 minutes for the 23,000 mile voyage. The attempt will be made in a specially designed 80ft powerboat called Excalibur, which is being built in Portsmouth UK, ahead of the world-record attempt in 2018, led by well-known ocean adventurer Dr Alan Priddy.

Mr Cornforth said the world-record effort is taking on even greater significance as the vessel will be powered by a ground-breaking new eco-fuel called Hydro Diesel. The fuel has been developed over the last two years by Portsmouth-based company Clean Fuel Ltd, owned by Dr Priddy, and is made of a mixture of diesel, water and emulsifying agent. In tests Hydro Diesel dramatically reduces harmful emissions such as particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide when used in existing diesel engines.

“Maktec has developed its engine expertise working on all kinds of vessels and engines around the world over the last 20 years,” said Mark. “And we are absolutely delighted to be chosen as technical engine support and fuel oil performance advisers for this incredible record attempt and longer term as the distributor of Hydro Diesel. The challenge reflects Maktec’s passion to make engines greener, less harmful and more energy efficient. At Maktec we know the diesel industry at sea and on land has to find urgent solutions to become greener. Hydro Diesel is designed to work on existing diesel engines in ships, cars and other vehicles. The Britannia Challenge is aiming to grab global attention showing that there is a green-fuel solution to the chronic problem of harmful diesel engine emissions.”

Mr Cornforth said the Hydro Diesel will be ‘put to the ultimate test’ powering the Excalibur’s 800HP engines in ‘relentless and complex sea and weather conditions’.

“The engines and the fuel will be under huge pressure and in support I will be crewing on the Pacific leg of the journey to determine Hydro Diesel’s performance and monitor oil condition,” he said. “We want to be transparent in how Hydro Diesel performs. When the Hydro Diesel stands up to the world record attempt we are aiming to see it enter the market quickly as a seriously disruptive eco-fuel.”

Mr Cornforth says Maktec has also signed up to supply safety items during the record attempt and his company branding will be displayed by Excalibur’s crew.

Maktec offers service, inspection and repair of a wide range of approved oils for all types of ship diesel and gas engines worldwide, but is especially known globally as experts and supervisors working on MaK, MAN, Sulzer, Wartsila and Jenbacher engines. In October, Maktec announced it had been appointed global distributor for the maritime sector by the UK’s largest independent lubricant manufacturer Exol.

For more details on Maktec contact Maktec Marine Tel: +44 (0) 01947 810842 email: [email protected] [email protected]

Visit www.maktecmarine.com

Team Britannia background

Team Britannia is a ￡multi-million British bid to design and build the fastest and most fuel efficient wave-slicing powerboat to circumnavigate the globe for the much coveted UIM world record currently held by the New Zealander Pete Bethune at 60 days 23 hours 49 minutes.

The World Record Authorities (UIM) dictates that for a recognised circumnavigation the craft has to pass through the Suez and Panama Canals and must start and finish in the same place. Team Britannia will launch their record bid from Europa Point in Gibraltar in 2018.

The boat is a completely new design from Professor Bob Cripps, former Technical Director of VT Halmatic. It has been designed in the UK and will be constructed in the Portsmouth area out of marine grade aluminium. It encompasses “an exceptionally efficient hull”, which will cut fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent.

The boat is being built by Hampshire based ABC Marine, out of marine grade aluminium. The metal was produced by Blackburn metals and laser cut by specialist firm Aalco in Southampton. The Team hope to launch the boat early in 2018, before commencing extensive sea trials.

The challenge will feature 20 crew: 12 onboard with five rotating on and off the boat plus three shore based.

Boat specifications:

Length – 80 feet

Internal beam – 13 feet

External beam – 19 feet

Draft – 30 inches

Material – Marine grade aluminium, including nearly 12km of framing

Hull thickness – 8-10 mm

Build weight – 20 tonnes

Range 4,000 nautical miles

Engines – Two customised Fiat Power Train C13 500, 6 cylinders

Power – Each engine is capable of generating 800HP

Water jets – Two Castoldi turbo drive 490 HC

Fuel – Emulsified diesel (diesel, water and a unique emulsion developed by Clean Fuel and its partners)

Navigation station – Raymarine

Communications equipment - Standard Horizon & Iridium Everywhere

Batteries – Mastervolt

Total crew – 20 (12 onboard with 5 rotating on and off the boat plus 3 shore based)

Crew clothing – Sebago

Crew Lifejackets –Maktec Marine

Logistical support by GAC UK