MAJORCA TAKES THE NAUTICAL SECTOR GREEN

Russell Currie, director of Fairline North Majorca and his team have been developing the concept, invented by Revego, since last year and, after months of sea trials and tests, are ready to present the ground-breaking innovation to the world here in Majorca.

Running a compression ignition engine on natural or renewable energy is not new. When Rudolph Diesel invented the compression-ignition engine it was first designed to run on peanut oil and then hemp oil.

However, back then, global business, in particular the oil companies were not big on environmental protection and certain legislation was introduced in the States to restrict, even outlaw, the use of certain renewable energies to encourage the use of fossil fuels and diesel.

Today, things appear to have gone full circle and Fairline North Majorca have devised a cost-effective way for the motor boating industry to start using sustainable and non-polluting alternatives to fossil fuels.

And, while the lid will not be lifted off this great invention until April 18th's global launch, Currie told the Bulletin that the marine engines do not need to be modified to run on vegetable oil, just a simple kit converter installed and that is what his team has developed in co-operation with Revego.

Bio-fuel converter kits for land-based vehicles are nothing new but, this month's presentation at the Royal Yacht Club in Pollensa is going to be a world first. “It is going to be a unique preview event of a concept that proves, by using just one industry as an example, how we can all start, right now, to contribute to reduced consumption of the world's fossil fuel resources and make a very real immediate difference,” Currie says.

He is the first to admit that a power boat is not a necessity in life but a luxury and now the nautical industry can do its bit to help save the environment.

What is more, the 960hp Volvo Penta powered Fairline Phantom 46 powerboat will be run on 100 percent vegetable oil, not a bio-fuel blend. “We are talking 100 percet eco-friendly,” he said.
They have been using treated vegetable oil from a plant on the mainland “what is even more impressive, the boat we have been running on vegetable oil runs smoother than when fuelled by conventional diesel,” he said.

At the presentation, which is being attended by leading marine companies, engine manufacturers, fuel and energy producers, major global businesses and banks, two Phantom 46 powerboats will be demonstrated, one running on diesel and the other of the cheaper and eco-friendly, 100 percent carbon dioxide-neutral vegetable oil. “It will be interesting to see who will be able to spot the difference,” Currie said yesterday.