Cruising on the ocean is a unique lifestyle which allows you to live close to the elements and truly appreciate the natural beauty around you. However, it can be harmful to the marine environment and exacerbate the effects of climate change by releasing greenhouse gases into the water and air. Yachts and their crew have the potential to implement positive changes across our oceans by finding solutions and moving towards more sustainable options.
Solar power is one of the answers, and SILENT Yachts has led the way in this feat. With no greenhouse gasses or noise pollution being produced, these yachts allow you to appreciate your journey on the water in a new way.
How Did SILENT Yachts Begin?
Michael Köhler, alongside his wife Heiki, founded SILENT Yachts in 2009. As sailors who have covered over 75,000 NM all around the world, they wanted to find a solution to cruising the oceans sustainably and comfortably.
Michael Köhler explained:
“Our primary goal initially was to find the best way to power a yacht. During the previous decades of cruising regular motor and sailing yachts, Heike and I kept facing the same issues. With a sailing yacht, you are always dependent on the wind, which has to come from the right direction at the right time. When cruising on a motor yacht, you constantly burn incredible amounts of diesel. Neither of these was an option we wanted to continue with. After years of research and testing, we realised that the sun was a much more reliable energy source.”
The Power of the Sun
SILENT Yachts are fitted with solar panels which harness energy from the sun and store it in lithium batteries for propulsion and the use of all appliances on board. The yachts are run entirely by the power of the sun! As long as the sun is shining, the batteries will be charged, and any extra energy is stored, ready to be used when required. As a renewable source of power, solar energy has a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. This is critical to protecting the ocean’s ecosystems.
Sustainable by Design
The SILENT Yachts have been designed with the planet in mind. As sailors, Köhler and Heike wished to preserve the purity of the oceans, so they ensured that sustainability was placed at the core of their products. They use a holistic approach to address all areas of the yacht, including the materials they use, the products lifecycle and re-using materials.
Köhler describes the benefits of their solar-powered fleet:
“Every aspect of our yachts, from the design of the hull to the interior and its appliances, is designed to minimise energy consumption and maximise efficiency. This enables sustainable self-propulsion with a virtually unlimited range. A SILENT Yacht provides a zero-emission experience during cruising and on anchorage. While cruising with a SILENT yacht, you experience no noise, fumes, or vibrations.”
The team has created a boat which addresses the critical environmental factors, reducing greenhouse gasses, energy consumption and noise pollution. The oceans have long taken the brunt of global warming, but SILENT Yachts have ensured they will not add to these issues. The reduced noise levels are another benefit, causing less disturbance to marine life and making for a more peaceful and pleasant cruising experience for everyone on board. SILENT Yachts were created to help transition away from the use of harmful fossil fuels, but they made sure not to overlook comfort and style too!
Köhler reminisces:
“On anchor, you get to feel the freedom of being totally self-sufficient and using all your appliances without needing to switch on noisy diesel generators and fracture the beauty of silently swinging amid gin-clear waters.’
People’s Perceptions Matter
New technology can take a while for people to accept. It has to prove itself and show why it is worth replacing the old way! Having a boat run entirely by solar power is a huge success and appealing to those who wish to look after the oceans. Undoubtedly, the need is growing for more renewable energy solutions.
Köhler has seen first-hand the shift in the yachting world towards solar power:
“The perception of the market is changing quickly. Solar-electric yachts are not a niche anymore. Everyone in the industry, clients and other shipyards, is now aware that they will become the new mainstream. People now understand that they can own a yacht which is significantly less harmful to the environment, significantly more comfortable, while also being cheaper and easier to own. They understand that to continue living their dream at sea, they must act to preserve the oceans. A new generation of future yacht owners is being raised with heightened environmental awareness.”
Solar-powered yachts will be essential to future cruising, proving that finding alternative ways to protect our precious ocean environments is possible and worthwhile. SILENT Yachts provides boats that allow you to enjoy the water while doing your part to address today’s pressing climate change issues. With any hope, people will continue to be inspired by their love of the oceans, and more success stories will follow. In the long term, everyone will benefit from having a cleaner and healthier ocean.
Visit Silent Yachts website here
