New Coastal Transportation: The Viceroy Seaglider
NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — The Viceroy Seaglider, crafted by Regent Craft, is making waves in the world of transportation. This innovative vessel resembles a blend of a ferry and a sleek warship, featuring a 65-foot wingspan and twelve quiet propellers.
“We envisioned a seaglider that’s as fast as an airplane but as easy to handle as a boat,” said CEO Billy Thalheimer, beaming after a successful test run. This new craft is powered by electricity and operates in three distinct modes: float, foil, and fly.
During a recent test, Thalheimer piloted the prototype, which rises on hydrofoils as it moves away from the shore. With the ability to reach speeds of over 50 miles per hour and fly about 30 feet above the water, it offers a glimpse into a future where quick travel across water could become a reality. If successful in trials expected later this year, the Seaglider could reduce travel time between Rhode Island and New York City to just an hour.
The potential for the Paladin extends beyond passenger transport. Regent is in discussions to offer ferry services in places like Florida, Hawaii, and Japan, as well as explore military applications. The U.S. Marines are interested in adapting the design for troop transport across the Pacific, potentially exchanging electric power for jet fuel for longer journeys.
Investors like Peter Thiel and Mark Cuban have thrown their support behind the venture. Thalheimer aims to bring back the elegance of 1930s flying boats, ensuring modern safety standards and a quieter, emission-free operation.
As the company prepares to prove its design to the U.S. Coast Guard and other regulators, they are optimistic about creating solutions to ease travel woes. “Traveling over water can be a hassle. Regent can make it enjoyable, simple, and efficient,” Cuban remarked.
The founders, former classmates from MIT who share a passion for innovation, have been hard at work since launching Regent in 2020. They are currently building a manufacturing facility and expect to have ships ready for passenger transport by 2027.
However, there are challenges ahead. The International Maritime Organization regards these wing-in-ground-effect vehicles as ships, not aircraft, meaning they must adhere to marine traffic rules while they navigate busy waters.
As Regent moves forward, it is also cautious about the military interest in its technology. With global tensions on the rise, the company is seeing interest from the U.S. government for various strategic applications. They envision the possibility of using the Seaglider for covert operations and rapid troop deployment in the Indo-Pacific.
While military functions are being explored, the focus remains on revolutionizing coastal transportation for civilians. With the capabilities of the Viceroy, the dream of a new, effective travel method is within reach, helping to mitigate the frustrations of clogged highways and lengthy commutes.
As talks continue and tests progress, the Viceroy Seaglider may just redefine how we traverse our waterways in the near future.
