Coastal Workboats are proud to be delivering the UK’s first fully-electric workboat - the E-LUV (Electric-Landing Utility Vessel). Built on our renowned LUV format to a Damen design, the E-LUV spells the start of a new age in our maritime industry. As a first in class, the design, build and delivery of the vessel presents a complex new workflow compared to that of a conventional build.
We’ll use this page to share the story of the project, including offering build updates and technical explanations. You can also use this page to get in touch to chat about how the E-LUV could impact and improve your own business.
Introducing the E-LUV
Introducing the E-LUV
Project Overview | E-LUV
The E-LUV will be the first all-electric workboat built and operating in the UK. The ambitious project is made possible via UK Government funding which aims to transform our industry by enabling green innovation, securing a sustainable future for UK maritime.
The initial E-LUV prototype is set apart by the onward solution it presents future commercial workboat applications. Most workboats are deployed in areas with low or no grid power to support recharging of e-vessels. The new E-LUV addresses this via its accompanying shore power storage system (SPSS) which can be used to recharge the vessel, power other applications and, with its innovative rapid-charging capability, significantly reduce vessel turnaround. The power unit can also be carried on the E-LUV’s deck, significantly extending the vessel’s working range and enabling underway charging.
Project Timeline | E-LUV
Mid - Late 2023
March 2024
The E-LUV design and build process is refined with drawings finalised and submitted for approval.
The jig is assembled ahead of keel laying and vessel build in Stornoway.
April 2024
Late 2024
The E-LUV is scheduled to enter a four week trial in the Shetland Isles, serving the West Burrafirth to Papa Stour ferry route.
The E-LUV will tour as a demonstrator around a range of shows, trials and exhibitions whilst being available for final commercialisation.
Spring 2025
Summer 2025 onwards
Early 2023
Mid - Late 2023
Coastal Workboats secure 10 year lease on Stornoway Port Authority’s Marine Engineering facility at Goat Island on the Isle of Lewis where the E-LUV will be built.
Coastal Workboats announced as successful recipient of £6m worth of CMDC3 funding.
The E-LUV will complete her build phase, be launched into the water for the first time and commence sea trials and final fit-out.
The project will move towards keel laying, first steps fabrication and full build phases.
The E-LUV is a highly capable vessel, built to withstand the toughest marine environments found in our harsh waters. Coastal Workboats enjoys a client list ranging from those working in ferry applications, aquaculture, logistics and goods. Whilst innovative, the E-LUV is built on flexibility and versatility, with a variety of custom fit-out and finishing packages. Get in touch today to discuss where the E-LUV might take you and your business.
The E-LUV & You
Under the Hood | E-LUV
The E-LUV is an innovative vessel, designed with a range of features that make it particularly suited for the future of our industry:
2400kWh installed battery capacity
The SPSS (Shore Power Storage System) has 1200kWh capacity and can act as a range extender to increase the range of the E-LUV by 50%.
Predicted range is 100miles in good conditions, allowing for three round trips to Papa Stour if an emergency required this. This is increased to 150miles if relocating the vessel by placing the SPSS on the vessel.
The EST Floattech Octopus battery system uses a modular approach with multiple strings, and in the unlikely event of a module failure would reduce the energy available by only 5%. This would have no direct effect on passengers or crew as a failure is tested and proven to be restricted to one cell only, with the small amount of off-gas being vented well clear of the vessel by a vent.
The use of Hydromaster azimuthing pod-drives provides for improved manoeuvrability and increased bollard pull over a conventional diesel shaft drive vessel, while permitting a lower installed power – the perfect base for hybrid vessel development in the future.
The propulsion units and vessel systems are designed with double redundancy in mind, so that a single failure won’t prevent the vessel from returning to port under her own power.
The forward ramp and folding aft bulwark permit RoRo operation on to and from slip.
Charging is designed to take place in 30mins, to replace the energy used in a round trip to Papa Stour.
The LUV’s are rugged vessels, designed to take the bottom, minimising the need for dry docks and allowing operational flexibility in tidally restricted areas.
A variable speed hydraulic power unit system will reduce the energy required to operate deck equipment.
The E-LUV is ready to charge from high power grid connections as these become available in the future.
The E-LUV will have remote monitoring via Starlink to enable support wherever the vessel is operating.
The E-LUV is built in collaboration with our Dutch design partner Damen Shipyards. Having delivered LUV2208s for Damen in the UK previously, their format offered the perfect framework from which to grow the E-LUV.
Design Partner | Damen
The E-LUV is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 3 (CMDC3), which was announced in September 2022, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. As part of the CMDC3, the Department allocated £60m to 19 flagship projects supported by 92 UK organisations to deliver real world demonstration R&D projects in clean maritime solutions. Projects will take place in multiple locations around the UK from as far north as the Shetland Isles and as far south as Cornwall.
The CMDC3 is part of the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emission’s (UK SHORE) flagship multi-year CMDC programme. In March 2022, the Department announced the biggest government investment ever in our UK commercial maritime sector, allocating £206m to UK SHORE, a new division within the Department for Transport focused on decarbonising the maritime sector. UK SHORE is delivering a suite of interventions throughout 2022-2025 aimed at accelerating the design, manufacture and operation of UK-made clean maritime technologies and unlocking an industry-led transition to Net Zero.