Page 42: of Marine News Magazine (March 2025)

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Vessels

Rock Steady: The Artemis EF-12 Escape

On the second full day of this year’s Passenger Vessel thing from 0 to 25 knots. As of now, DNV and/or Lloyds

Association’s 2025 Maritrends conference, the weather will be Artemis’ classi? cation societies of choice, but the ves- probably couldn’t have been much nicer; especially when sel will meet all Coast Guard standards for domestic passen- it involved a tour and test ride on the new Artemis Tech- ger vessels. Their largest version, the F-24 will carry 150 pas- nologies EF-12 Escape. sengers and fall under the Coast Guard’s subchapter T class.

The high-end water taxi, in the process of being intro- Artemis technology was borne of the fastest sailboats in duced to US markets, was everything its creators promised, the world, and accomplished yacht sailor David Tyler in- and perhaps just a little more. On Tuesday morning, cruising stantly knew that the concept had real applicability in the in brilliant sunshine, its full capabilities were on full display. workboat world. As of today, his creations are fully electric,

Fully satisfying the brown water industry’s thirst for the but he conceded that future versions intended for other

Promised Land of “zero carbon footprint,” the EF-12 cre- niche sectors – such as patrol boats – might involve a hy- ates zero emissions and minimal wake during every trip, brid solution. For now, the Artemis fully electric design is thanks largely to its advanced hydrofoil technology. Glid- already penetrating the pilot boat and crew transfer vessel ing smoothly above the water at speeds as fast as 30 KT, this (CTV) markets in Europe. And, for good reason.

vessel has no need for stabilizers, as the “foiling” design is in Offshore wind and oil & gas operators have become acutely use at all times; whether at high speeds, cruising slowly, or aware of the need to have personnel arrive at the job sites ready alongside another vessel or pier. In other words; rock steady. to work. And, that means not having been throwing up for a

David Tyler, Artemis’ co-founder and managing direc- two-hour ride. With the Artemis technology able to operate tor, North America, was on board for this morning’s dem- seamlessly in conditions up to 3.5 meters of sea and swell, onstration, and as his skilled crew of mariners deftly han- all personnel experience an almost motionless ride. Similarly, dled the high-tech boat, he explained the “ins and outs” of pilot associations yearning for more stable platforms, both on its design. For example, and with advanced battery systems the way out to the ship and alongside while disembarking and fore and aft, the vessel can be fully charged in as little as 60 embarking, are starting to take a hard look at Artemis. Safety minutes. And, he added, the vessel’s carbon ? ber design is and comfort – that’s the ticket for these operators. 40% lighter – and if built in series with economy of scale, With a 50-mile range, the Artemis EF-12 satis? es the also less expensive – than a comparably sized aluminum needs of a range of possibilities within the workboat realm. vessel, something that’s critically important as marine bat- Where they ultimately ? nd their sweet spot is still unknown. teries continue their evolution into lighter platforms that Passenger vessels – catering to perhaps the most demanding pack more power. Until that happens, weight will always of cargo – are a good place to start. The PVA Maritrends be a consideration. Artemis, nevertheless, has that covered. Convention, against the quaint backdrop of the historical

A 15-minute test ride showed the vessel to be steady as a Savannah, GA waterfront, was similarly, an excellent place rock, even at top speeds, and it cornered on a dime at every- and time to show the marine industry, how, and why.

Joseph Keefe 42 | MN March 2025