Team Britannia, which is hoping to set a new round-the-world powerboat record, has appointed Whitby-based Maktec
Marine (
www.maktecmarine.com) to provide technical support for the performance of its engine fuel and oil.
The team, led by ocean adventurer Alan Priddy, aims to beat the New Zealander Pete Bethune’s time (60 days, 23 hours
and 49 minutes) for the 23,000-mile voyage, using a specially designed 80ft powerboat called Excalibur, which is currently being built in the UK.
Maktec Marine founder Mark Cornforth said the world-record attempt will be powered by a ground-breaking new fuel — called Hydro Diesel and developed over the last two years by Portsmouth-based Clean Fuel Ltd — that is a mixture of diesel, water and an emulsifying agent.
In tests, Hydro Diesel substantially reduced harmful emissions such as particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide.
Mr Cornforth said: “Maktec has worked on all kinds of vessels and engines around the world over the last 20 years.
"We are delighted to be chosen as technical engine support and fuel oil performance advisers for this record attempt
— and as the distributor of Hydro Diesel, which is designed to work on existing diesel engines in ships, cars and other vehicles.
"The Britannia Challenge is aiming to show that there is a green-fuel solution to the chronic problem of harmful diesel-engine emissions.”
Mr Cornforth added that the eco-fuel will be put to the ultimate test, powering the Excalibur’s 800hp engines in complex sea and weather conditions.
“The engines and the fuel will be under huge pressure; I will be crewing on the Pacific leg of the journey to determine Hydro Diesel’s performance.
"After the world-record attempt, we want to see it enter the market quickly — as a seriously disruptive eco-fuel.”