The first phase of an electric boat project using green energy sources was unveiled yesterday by the University of Malta’s Electrical Engineering and Electrical Control Department and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino.

The boat is in experimental stage while a prototype is under development. The concept has been designed for short tourist cruises at slower speeds and is ideal for use at spots such as Blue Grotto and Dwejra, Gozo.

The experimental boat was taken for a test ‘drive’ around Sliema Creek yesterday morning, with Mr Pullicino sportingly aboard, resulting in its environmental-friendly credentials being confirmed by a drastic reduction is smell, noise, sea and air pollution as compared with the stayed petrol engine.

The boat’s first phase of development constitutes the testing of the experimental boat, after which it will be tested under real conditions by carrying tourists on short cruises at places such as Blue Grotto. After that the concept would be developed on a commercial scale, possibly with the involvement of private investment, Mr Pullicino added.

Such a project, he augured, would also be of international interest, and could also benefit from European Union funding.

The boat, and hopefully others like it, would be charged by means of photovoltaic cell systems or a small wind turbine. While incentives could be offered for those operating such boats in sensitive areas such as Blue Grotto and Dwejra in Gozo, the ministry said it would not be pressuring any boatmen to use such boats exclusively.

The boat was developed by Ing. Joseph Cilia and a number of students from the faculty.

The boat will make use of an intelligent battery system, with wireless software giving precise readings as to how much battery power remains along with other diagnostics. It will also be easily rechargeable from a unit located near the shore.

The development of the experimental boat was supported financially by the Rural Affairs and Environment Ministry, the Malta Tourism Authority and Middlesea Insurance, while the Resources and Infrastructure Ministry also provided material supplies for the boat.