The team at RS Electric Boats have successfully delivered two RS Pulse 63 electric RIBs to Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) as part of the pioneering ZENOW project. The handover of the two state-of-the-art, zero-emission boats – at WPNSA on March 13th 2025 – marks a significant milestone in the deployment of the world’s largest network of electric workboats in a commercial setting.
As the leading partner on the ZENOW project – in collaboration with RAD Propulsion, Aqua SuperPower and Cheetah Marine – we aim to revolutionise the marine industry with fully electric workboats. In September 2023, the project was awarded a £4.1 million grant from the UK Government’s Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) initiative, overseen by UK SHORE and Innovate UK. This funding is facilitating the deployment of 15 electric workboats across the UK with 10 operational partners, helping to accelerate the adoption of electric technology in the marine sector.
WPNSA, alongside the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), is proud to be one of the inaugural recipients of the RS Pulse 63. Their electric vessel will play a vital role in WPNSA’s efforts to promote sustainability within the sailing community and support their ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility.
Jon Tweedle, CEO at WPNSA, said: “We’re thrilled to receive the RS Pulse 63, which will enhance our event and coaching capabilities while supporting our sustainable event management practices. With a busy season ahead, including the RS Aero Nationals in August, this electric boat will help us reduce our environmental impact and set a benchmark for eco-friendly practices in the sailing industry.”
Phil Horton, Environment & Sustainability Manager at the RYA, who also took delivery of their Pulse 63 at WPNSA this morning, commented: “With increasing interest across the sector in electric drive technology, we’re excited to be testing the RS Pulse 63 as part of our work towards the introduction of electric propulsion for coach and safety boats in connection with our Pathway to Zero strategy. We look forward to putting the new boat through its paces and seeing how it can support the demands and requirements of on-water coaches.”
The RS Pulse 63 is a 100% electric vessel that utilises emissions-free propulsion, offering a cleaner and greener alternative to traditional workboats. Designed and manufactured in the UK, it is built with sustainable materials, further aligning with the growing demand for environmentally conscious solutions in marine operations.
Alex Newton Southon, our Managing Director at RS Electric Boats, commented: “The delivery of these two RS Pulse 63s to WPNSA is a huge step forward in our mission to support the transition to sustainable electric boating. We’re proud to be a leader on the ZENOW project, which is setting a new standard for zero-emissions workboats in the UK and beyond. The success of the Pulse 63 reinforces the potential of electric vessels for both commercial and leisure applications.”
WPNSA will use their Pulse 63 boat for coaching and event management, supporting their ISO 20121 certification for sustainable event management practices. The RYA will run their Pulse 63 predominantly as part of its coach boat fleet supporting British Sailing Pathway activity.
This project is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4), funded by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and delivered by Innovate UK. CMDC4 is part of the Department’s UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, a £206m initiative focused on developing the technology necessary to decarbonise the UK domestic maritime sector.
For more information about the RS Pulse 63 and the ZENOW project, visit our ZENOW information page.
