British company supplied motors to £1m Gloriana
Just 18 people will row the 94ft royal rowbarge, or at least that is how it looked until MBM spied propellers whilst the £1million boat was being lifted into the Thames recently.
The two electric engines for the barge, which will lead the fleet at the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in a couple of weeks time (3 June), were designed and constructed by LMC Ltd.
The motors batteries are re-charged by kinetic energy produced as a result of the boat moving through the water, becoming more efficient.
Trevor Lees, managing director of LMC Ltd, said, “We have been witnessing a growing trend in the boating industry for electric motors, whether it’s to provide primary power to sailboats, canal cruisers or in-shore motorboats, or even assist classic rowbarges and boats with additional power, such as the Gloriana.”
According to the Gloriana’s press office, the idea behind the motors was to make the journey smooth through the water, and easier to manoeuvre in the strong tidal currents.
Gloriana was built by Mark Edwards of Richmond Bridge Boat Houses, as a project by Lord Sterling to create a tribute to Her Majesty the Queen using sweet chestnut trees from Prince Charles’ private estate.
Watch the barge leading the parade of 1000 boats during the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on 3 June.
See the gallery of Gloriana during the naming ceremony here.
