UIM Environmental Award for Hydros’ hybrid prototype powerboat

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11.03.2016
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The International Powerboat Association (UIM) has awarded the UIM Environmental Award to the efficient HY-41 hybrid prototype powerboat with retractable foils developed by Hydros Innovation; and the Environmental Benefit Special Mention to the Hydrocontest, the Hydros Foundation's innovation platform and incubator for the boats of tomorrow.

The seventh UIM Awards Giving Gala was held this Saturday, 5 March, at the Monte Carlo Sporting Club in the presence HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and members of the international powerboating community. Jérémie Lagarrigue, CEO of Hydros Innovation and founding member of the Hydros Foundation, an accredited non-profit, public-interest organisation, received the prizes honouring two innovative projects, each brought to fruition by one of his organisations.

A concentrated distillation of both technology and know-how, the HY-41 was conceived as the spearhead for environmentally friendly yachting, with the aim of reducing the pollution from pleasure boats without impairing their performance. This project earned plaudits from the UIM, which is itself working for a more efficient and sustainable future for powerboat sport, one in which sporting prowess and the preservation of the natural environment will go hand in hand. 

« Power-boating truly acts as a laboratory for the nautical industry. We test innovative materials, environmentally friendly technologies, and moreover, we can induce more sustainable and respectful behaviors », explains Raffaele Chiulli, President of the UIM. « The HY-41 and the Hydrocontest are the reflection of the values we hold and are a fantastic demonstration of how you can raise awareness about these planetary challenges, while leading towards efficient industrial applications. »

With its retractable foils and customisable transmission system, the HY-41's fuel consumption can be reduced by at least 30%, while navigating more speedily, flexibly and with greater comfort. The HY-X, its smaller-scale experimental prototype, had already attracted a great deal of interest when it was unveiled at the end of 2014. One year on, the HY-41 is being put into production by a partner of the engineering firm Hydros Innovation, and will soon be available to order.

Special mention for Hydrocontest
The fact that today, 90% of trade is done by sea makes it the fifth most important cause of pollution in the world. The Hydros Foundation took this as its starting point when setting up the Hydrocontest, an international competition bringing together universities, institutions and industrialists to address a problem that, while simple, calls for a great deal of ambition in tackling it: the need to put technological innovation at the service of energy efficiency when building the boats of the future.

The UIM has honoured the Hydrocontest for its "environmental benefit" in seeking to encourage thinking about development in this sector, which has such a substantial impact on the environment, and for its desire to help the most promising projects see the light of day. In 2016, for the third year in succession, the Hydrocontest and its 250 participants from twelve different countries will unveil the latest innovations they have developed. So come to Lausanne, in Switzerland, between 24 and 31 July 2016 to see the new prototypes for yourself.

(Press release)

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