MDL Marinas sponsors the Round Britain eRIB Challenge

Harry Besley © MDL Marinas

MDL Marinas is delighted to announce that it will be supporting the Round Britain eRIB Challenge by becoming a Gold sponsor of this phenomenal mission to circumnavigate Britain in an electric RIB.

Scheduled to start from Lyme Regis, Dorset in July/August 2023, the Round Britain eRIB Challenge is an environmental project aiming to assist leisure and small commercial operators in the marine industry in transitioning to a more sustainable future by shining a light on the potential of electric boats.

The challenge involves 17-year-old Harry Besley attempting to drive an electric boat around the coast of Britain during the summer months, raising awareness of the issues around combustion engines and showing that there are environmentally friendly alternatives. Harry also hopes to become the youngest person to skipper an electric boat around Britain, and the first person to skipper an electric one.

In its support of the challenge, MDL Marinas will provide space at its South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show (21-23 April) for the Round Britain eRIB team to display the challenge vessel. The show, hosted at MDL's Ocean Village Marina in Southampton, will provide an ideal opportunity for visitors to learn more about the challenge and help raise awareness of the need for more sustainable boating practices.

"The transition to a more sustainable leisure boating market is something we're helping to drive forward through initiatives such as our South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show, and the creation of electric cruising corridors with the installation of electric boat chargers across our network," says Tim Mayer, Sales and Marketing Director at MDL Marinas.

"With a goal and overall mission so in tune with our own, we're delighted to be supporting Harry and the Round Britain eRIB Challenge and look forward to sharing his stories and progress as he makes his epic voyage."

MDL will also be providing berthing and charging for the challenge eRIB at its Hamble Point Marina during the pre-challenge sea trials.

Harry Besley, comments: "We are very grateful to MDL for providing this sponsorship. A large part of the challenge is to raise awareness of the need to transition to sustainable boating. Support from an organisation like this goes a long way, so thank you."

Round Britain eRIB is backed by several key industry bodies including: The RYA, British Marine, British Ports Association, The Yacht Harbour Association, UK Harbour Masters Association, and The Green Blue.

For more information on the challenge visit www.roundbritain-erib.org

For more information on MDL and its marinas visit www.mdlmarinas.co.uk