Captain Harry Besley from Taunton, Somerset, along with his crew and cousin Henry Cietak, set off from Lyme Regis in Dorset on July 13. After stopping at more than 45 locations, they completed their journey on August 14. The team covered 1,708 nautical miles (3,162 km) aboard the 6.5-meter (21 ft) rigid inflatable boat (RIB) GALAXY PILOT P6.5, powered entirely by electricity.

The goal of the Round Britain eRIB challenge was to encourage the marine industry to reduce carbon emissions. According to their estimates, they saved 12,858 kg of CO2 compared to an average motorboat.

Driven by a desire to inspire and educate others, Harry Besley and his crew embarked on their mission with a clear goal in mind. “From the very beginning, our aim was to help the marine industry transition towards a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly future, accelerating change and encouraging investment in the sector,” said project manager Jaqui Besley.

The team initially hoped to complete the challenge within three weeks, but they faced obstacles such as tidal conditions and charging station issues, which often kept them stationary “for much of the night.”