Two sailors from Fowey have beaten competition from around the world to win a prestigious maritime award.
Ken and Ali Wittamore were presented with the Mansura Trophy, an award given every two years for the most outstanding contribution to the development of marine hybrid power.
Using hybrid power means a boat can be driven through the water using either traditional diesel power or by use of an electric motor.
The couple will receive the award for their 42 ft Halberg-Rassy sailing yacht, Armorel.
Armorel is a marine version of the Toyota Prius car, complete with large batteries for energy storage and a computer display to show the energy usage. The electricity to power the boat comes primarily from green sources such as solar panels.
When not pushing the boat through the water, the power can be used to provide a high standard of comfort aboard the vessel.
Ken said "I am really proud of the fact that this major international prize is coming to Cornwall.
"We are competing against the best in the world and this award demonstrates that the Cornish maritime industry is second to none.
"All of the smart control electronics comes from our Fowey based company Triskel Marine, and the complex refit work was carried out by Mylor Yacht Harbour.
"Judging by the tremendous public interest shown in "Armorel" at the Southampton Boat Show I am confident that Cornwall will be seeing more hybrid conversions in the coming months"
Previous winners of the award have included a French hybrid catamaran, a solar powered ferry in Sydney harbour, a catamaran from South Africa, a Canadian all-electric boat and an American Island Pilot.
This year though, the honours will go to Fowey.
The Mansura Trophy will be presented to the winners at a grand ceremony at the Royal Thames Yacht Club, London, on March 21.
Ken and Ali Wittamore were presented with the Mansura Trophy, an award given every two years for the most outstanding contribution to the development of marine hybrid power.
Using hybrid power means a boat can be driven through the water using either traditional diesel power or by use of an electric motor.
The couple will receive the award for their 42 ft Halberg-Rassy sailing yacht, Armorel.
Armorel is a marine version of the Toyota Prius car, complete with large batteries for energy storage and a computer display to show the energy usage. The electricity to power the boat comes primarily from green sources such as solar panels.
When not pushing the boat through the water, the power can be used to provide a high standard of comfort aboard the vessel.
Ken said "I am really proud of the fact that this major international prize is coming to Cornwall.
"We are competing against the best in the world and this award demonstrates that the Cornish maritime industry is second to none.
"All of the smart control electronics comes from our Fowey based company Triskel Marine, and the complex refit work was carried out by Mylor Yacht Harbour.
"Judging by the tremendous public interest shown in "Armorel" at the Southampton Boat Show I am confident that Cornwall will be seeing more hybrid conversions in the coming months"
Previous winners of the award have included a French hybrid catamaran, a solar powered ferry in Sydney harbour, a catamaran from South Africa, a Canadian all-electric boat and an American Island Pilot.
This year though, the honours will go to Fowey.
The Mansura Trophy will be presented to the winners at a grand ceremony at the Royal Thames Yacht Club, London, on March 21.
