Enviro Boat wins the 2008 Royal Thames Mansura Trophy

The Royal Thames Mansura Trophy contest for 2008 has been won by Enviroboat Developments.  In 2005 they converted, two classic lake passenger launches from diesel to hybrid propulsion.  This was a commercial enterprise and a company was especially formed to run the converted launches.  The Trophy was presented by Rod Carr OBE, CEO of the RYA a long term partner in the Royal Thames Mansura Trophy competition, at the Royal Thames Yacht Club on Wednesday 29th April

The runner-up was the converted canal barge Ross Barlow - an experimental hydrogen cell hybrid inland waterways barge conversion by Birmingham University.  Not yet commercial, but holding much promise for the future, in the view of the judges.  An excellent and detailed submission.  It won the Prototype and Hydrogen Cell division.

Mention should also be made of the winner of the Ocean-Going Hybrid category.  This was the Island Pilot DES 12 entry from Miami.  A diesel/electric ocean-going catamaran of interesting an innovative design and already in production.  Similar in concept to that of the original Hybrid yacht Mansura.

The Electric Boat Association received the 2008 Mansura Medal, a new award presented to the organisation that the Trustees deem to have done most for the promotion of hybid power during the year.