A TEENAGE student hopes to become the first person to circumnavigate Britain in an electric boat.
Harry Besley, 16, wants to raise awareness of green boating as he prepares to skipper the Round Britain eRIB Challenge in August.
The not-for-profit environmental project aims to support leisure and small commercial operators in the marine industry in their transition to a more sustainable future.
As well as making this Guinness World Record attempt, Harry is hoping to support the industry in securing more investment in zero emission technology to help the sector develop faster.
It will highlight the opportunities for the use of electric propulsion systems in UK coastal waters and is supported by several key industry bodies.
Harry said: "I believe that we cause too much damage to the world and I want to change that.
"I wanted to do something that people will remember, something that could have an impact.
"If we are successful, then this project could help change the future for the leisure marine industry forever."
Harry is delivering a fundraising and informative talk about the challenge in the Great Hall, at Wellington School, where he is studying for A levels, about the challenge.
No tickets or booking are required for the event on Monday (May 22) at 6pm. Just turn up.
Meanwhile, businesses are being given the opportunity to become 'location sponsors' for each stop of the record attempt.
And members of the public, sailing clubs, youth groups, schools and colleges have the chance to enter the prize draw or click HERE to get their name on the boat's console for £100 to help broaden the campaign. For further details email admin@roundbritain-erib.org.
Harry, whose passion for boats began at a young age with a bath tub boat, said: "We cannot under estimate the scale of this challenge.
"eBoat technology is only just developing and EV battery management systems are not designed for continual impact.
"Early adopters are seeing significant issues and regulations have not yet caught up.
"Along with that, we have massive range constraints and virtually no shore-side charging infrastructure and are looking for partners to help us with on-water charging."
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