Solar Powered Wavepiercer Cat
On March 31, 2010 the roof at the HDW Shipyard in Kiel, Germany slid open to reveal to the daylight the what is claimed to be the world’s largest solar powered vessel, a wavepiercer catamaran named Planet Solar. Appearing small against the back drop of the giant crane hoisting her to the water and the enormous ship building halls she was assembled in, the 101.7 ft long, 52.5 ft wide carbon fiber craft was launched a few hours later into the Kiel fjord, floating to her lines and looking more like a misplaced space ship than an ocean going yacht.
Diverse Projects’ Latest Vessel
Build Project 08 is currently under construction at Profab Central Engineering Ltd in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The hull was successfully rolled over in October, and the superstructure is now taking shape. Stage two of the program, interior, paintwork and finishing details will later take place in Whangarei, New Zealand. BP08’s sleek lines were designed by Craig Loomes Design Group. The 103.3 ft passagemaker is being built to Germanischer Lloyd 100 A5 class and New Zealand MSA survey. With Twin Caterpillar C18 ACERT 600HP engines, she will cruise at 12.5 knots.