silent yachts team

Silent-Yachts: new ownership, new 3-deck solar catamaran

Solar electric catamaran pioneer Silent-Yachts is launching a new model, the Silent 62 3-Deck, the first under a new ownership team led by American-German investor Michael Said, a Silent-Yachts client himself.

Majority owner Said acquired the assets of Silent-Yachts, including the intellectual property and the shipyard Silent Italia in Fano, through his acquisition vehicle Helios Yacht Investments GmbH.

Silent-Yachts 62 3-Deck a proud moment

The company, founded in 2009, has recently been under financial pressures. Said’s intervention ensures that funding is available to preserve 140 jobs and continue progress on existing orders for the Silent 62 and others. 

New Chief Executive Officer Fabrizio Iarrera said “The launch of our first Silent 62 3-Deck is a proud moment as we continue to innovate and expand the Silent range.It is also proof positive that the brand continues to operate normally and is focused on delivering boats to clients.”

The Silent 62 3-Deck brings together the best of the company’s bestselling Silent 60 with the superyacht flair of the top-of-the-range Silent 80 3-Deck. It is 2 feet (0.60m) longer than the 60 and replaces the usual flybridge with the third deck.

The deck is available in three different versions: an open sky lounge, a closed sky lounge, and a closed owner’s suite variation. All versions are available with a “front exit” on the main deck, which allows guests to directly step onto the foredeck from the main saloon.

With 5+1 guest cabins and 6 bathrooms the yacht can sleep up to 12 guests in quiet comfort.

Read the Plugboats sea trial of the Silent 60

The Silent 62 3-Deck has the same  drivetrain as the two flybridge Silent 62 catamarans launched at the end of last year: twin 180 kW continuous / 340 kW peak electric motors (245 hp /460 hp peak ) powered by 286 kiloWatt hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery packs.

It implements the latest liquid cooled batteries, with higher energy density, greater capacity and optimized thermal management that enables faster charging rates.

Classified as CE ‘A’ with Trans Ocean range, the luxury cat has a 16.8 kWp (kiloWatt hour peak) solar array that can generate approximately 100 kWh per day and a 100 kWh fossil fuel generator that can be used to extend range when necessary on long journeys.

Seven yachts scheduled for completion

The new ownership and management team, supported by a board of shareholders and vice chairman Steve Bell, have seven Silent 62 3-Decks scheduled for completion this year. There are also plans to develop a new facility at the Fano yard that can accommodate the wider beam of the Silent 80.

Silent-Yachts founder Michael Köhler will keep a 10 per cent stake in the firm and is set to take on the role of brand ambassador. He and his wife Heike started to develop the Silent-Yachts concept in 2004 and spent five years sailing, testing and researching to develop the revolutionary idea of a solar-powered ocean-going yacht.

“Michael has 20 years of experience in developing solar-electric yacht technology and the management team is pleased to have his experience available to them,” CEO Iarrera told SuperyachtNews . “Now, the growth strategy is to streamline manufacturing and organizational processes in our Fano shipyard to make us more efficient and allow us to increase production as our demand increases.”

As creator of the world’s first series produced, solar-powered electric yachts, Silent-Yachts has sold more than 50 solar catamarans around the world. The Silent 60 was the winner of the 2021 Gustave Trouvé Electric Boat Awards in the Over 8m / 26 ft category and the Silent 120 Explorer won in 2022 in the Concept/In Development category.

A seasoned and well-known figure in the Italian yachting sector, Ferrara is excited about the company’s future.  “Silent-Yachts is known for its innovative technology in electric catamarans,” he said “and continues to be committed to pushing boundaries in the industry.”

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Review: Silent 55, the extraordinary solar powered yacht

• January 18, 2019

Silent Yachts is tapping into the solar zeitgeist and creating a new meaning for the term ‘powercat’.  Sam Fortescue reports

There is a slow, silent revolution under way in the yachting world. It is a revolution that is introducing tonnes of lithium and a sprinkling of silicon to the spec list of new boats. Holding out the promise of silent mobility, plus limitless domestic power on board, it made a big splash at the last Cannes Festival of Yachting – not least thanks to the new Silent 55 catamaran which debuted there.

From the pontoon side, the Silent 55 looks like a typical modern catamaran, with a big coachroof studded with windows and a flybridge helm. Except there’s no mast. Now, bear with me here. I realise that this is a sailing magazine, but we will shortly get back to more familiar territory. The unique qualities of this catamaran only become apparent from up top, where an expanse of solar panels stretches away fore and aft, embedded into the coachroof. The hard top itself carries yet more panels, and can be folded down flush to give an unshaded solar array of 49m2. During the heat of a summer day in the Med, this is capable of generating 10kW of power and up to around 60kWh in the course of the day.

But to make a solar system work in reality, Köhler had to go back to the drawing board on yacht design. The saloon and hulls have extra thermal insulation to keep air-con losses down, and the use of carbon and aramid in key areas helps reduce the overall weight to a decent 17 tonnes (a Lagoon 52 weighs 22.5 tonnes). He has tried to keep windows out of the direct sun with long overhangs and in contrast to the Lagoon’s 12 deck hatches, the Silent 55 has just two.

Holistic design

On the other hand, it has lots of opening windows, to allow a natural draught to do its job. “It’s a holistic approach – you can’t take the batteries and the drivetrain and drop it into another boat.”

Of course, using the propulsion system quickly takes its toll of the boat’s 140kW battery bank. The model on display at Cannes had two 135kW motors, giving you just half an hour of silent motoring flat-out, albeit at a top speed of over 20 knots. More reasonable 30kW engines and a single-digit speed give you greater range. Nonetheless, the electric drive alone isn’t going to allow you to outrun a storm, or race home after a day at anchor, so the boat is designed to work with a generator hidden in the heavily insulated transom of its starboard hull. At cruising speed of around 5-6 knots, Köhler says there is rarely any need to use the generator, citing an owner who has just emailed him triumphantly about a second year totally generator-free. “In the end, you have to compare it to the performance of a sailing boat,” Köhler says. “It is as fast as a sailing boat in similar conditions – after all, there is no wind without sun.” He went so far as to tell me during the sea trial in Palma, Mallorca, that he believed the majority of sailors would happily dispense with the hassle of sails and a rig if only they could enjoy silent motoring and anchoring. “As soon as people realise the incredible concept of this boat, they won’t understand why they ever did anything else.”

The market does not seem to agree with him – yet. Sales of the boat have been good – they have already sold six, five of which are already in the water. But of those, four customers have taken the sail option, which means planting a 19.7m tall mast complete with boom and rigging slap bang in the middle of the coachroof solar array. “I was a bit amazed,” Köhler admits. “The shade from the rig reduces the energy generated by the solar area, while it costs more and is heavier, so consumes more fuel. Maybe it is for optical reasons.” In fact, the shade of the rig slashes the average yield of the solar panels in half. In the Med, that means around 30kWh per day. But perhaps it figures. The typical profile of buyers is an environmentalist who has a Tesla electric car and is “an early adopter who likes to have things before others”. And at low speeds, with modest use of the air-con, the reduced energy generation should still cover daily consumption.

The performance under sail should be reasonable because of the lightweight build of the boat, its broad 8.47m beam and stub keels added to each hull. Control lines are led back via conduits in the coachroof to the flybridge helm station, to make single-handing under sail a possibility.

More interesting, I think, is a sort of halfway-house option using a kite rig. This optimises the performance of the solar panels and gives plenty of propulsion. On the smaller 55 and the 64, Silent Yachts currently recommends a 19m2 kite that costs around €25,000 – a fraction of the cost of a new mast, boom, shrouds and sails. “The sail automatically makes a figure of eight above the boat, and you can steer it with a joystick or an app on an android phone,” Köhler explains. “It can propel the 55 at up to 6 knots, even in light winds.” Perfect for an Atlantic crossing, then.

For the bigger Silent 79, which will hit the water in the summer, a commercial grade Sky Sail system needs to be used – a smaller version of the ones used on cargo ships. This kite can propel the boat at ten knots, but it costs more than ten times as much as its smaller cousin. Both are capable of pulling the boat upwind. So far, so new. But outside the novel energy and propulsion system, the Silent 55 aims to do what many other cruising catamarans are trying to achieve. “Most of our clients order for circumnavigation and long-term cruising,” Köhler says. So the boat is aimed to be as comfortable and capable as possible with watermakers, TVs and an induction hob that all capitalise on the boat’s abundant energy. A flexible configuration allows owners the choice 
of between three and six cabins – the latter designed for charter. The owner’s cabin lies forward of the saloon, under the windows of the coachroof, which provide magnificent views and abundant natural light. There’s a walk-around bed and steps down into the starboard hull give access to an en-suite shower room and heads.

In my view, the best cabin lies aft of this, accessed in the traditional manner down steps out of the saloon. The king-sized bed lies athwartships and the shower is larger than that of the master cabin. There’s more space down here, better headroom and still plenty of light courtesy of the many hull lights.

When I had the chance to sea trial the Silent 55, albeit in motorboat format, I jumped at it. It was a contrary autumn day on Mallorca with 15 knots breeze – just a shame, then, that this wasn’t one of the sailing configured versions.

To start with, getting on board is made really easy courtesy of deep boarding platforms on the skirts. She feels rather square because of that vast, glazed saloon with its deep overhang, and perhaps because of the utilitarian nature of the hard top, which is really about supporting more solar panels. Nevertheless, the side decks are broad and uncluttered. The space up top is designed to concertina down flat, hence the hydraulic rams, fold-down seat back and lowering console. It makes a great sailing position, though, with all round visibility, and is also perfect for sundowners at anchor. When the rain comes down, this feels quite exposed, but there is a fully sheltered helm at the front of the saloon, and it is also possible to drive the boat from anywhere using a tablet thanks to smart electronics. Under power, the handling is superb. The quietness of the motors is astonishing, and I gather they’ll be inaudible on the next boat, which will do away with the gearbox. Even in the aft cabins, directly above the motors, there is no more than a distant hum. The boat responds instantly to the power and the wind seemed to have no impact at all. As with any propulsion system, the power consumption jumps as you pile on the speed – it was sobering to see. At 6 knots, both motors drew 10kW but at 8 knots it was closer to 30kW. I liked the huge saloon with its raised table for 360º views. And the sliding door and window gives great access aft, connecting the saloon and cockpit in fine conditions. The finish was smart and in muted tones, feeling more Scandinavian than German.

Intriguingly, at least it seems to me, Köhler has tapped into something with the concept behind Silent Yachts – but not entirely for the reasons that he expected. Buyers are opting for the sail or kite versions of the boat because they want a comfortable wind-powered craft with abundant, quiet energy on tap. It brings a whole new meaning to the 
term ‘powercat’

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Headlining the news is the announcement that Austrian-owned Silent-Yachts has been restructured as Silent Group comprising several distinct divisions.

Silent-Yachts:  Offering fully electric, solar-powered catamarans from 60-120 feet for noiseless, zero-emission cruising. In addition, from now on a new sub-division will also build hybrid yachts that make use of both conventional propulsion and renewable solar energy. The first hybrid yacht is an 82-foot model to be built in partnership with VisionF Yachts.

Through the cooperation with VisionF, Silent-Yachts aims to support the Turkey based shipyard towards making their catamarans more sustainable. The extended hardtop flybridge of the so-called Silent VisionF 82 is fitted with a large solar array and a powerfull battery bank in order to provide sufficient energy to power all household and comfort appliances on board. As a result, guests will be able to enjoy the noiseless Silent experience without compromises when anchoring in a bay or docked in a marina. The alliance showcases the willingness of Silent-Yachts to assist other manufacturers to reduce their vessels dependency on fossil fuels by incorporating the proven solar technology of the Austrian pioneer. 

Silent-Tenders:  Offering a new range of electric Silent tenders, starting with a model of 4 metres in length. Further models will be announced during 2022. 

Silent-Management:  Offering the full spectrum of management services for Silent clients, from documentation, flag registration, certification and inspections to crew hiring, charter and yacht management, maintenance and servicing. 

Silent-Charter:  Offering Silent yachts for charter from the fleet base in Port Adriano, Mallorca and around the world.

Silent-Brokerage:  Offering brokerage services for pre-owned vessels for sale by Silent and its clients. 

Silent-Resorts:  Stunning zero-carbon, ultra-sustainable resorts with luxurious beachfront solar-powered residences. 

Silent-Shop:  A web-based outlet for electric water toys, smart electric gadgets as well as Silent merchandising products.

New production sites The Silent Group can draw on three production facilities around the world. Its shipyard on Italy’s Adriatic coast has five construction sheds with 22,000 m² of covered space and about the same area outside for building the Silent 60 series & and the Silent 80 series. 

The Swiss-owned and managed PMG Shipyard in Thailand builds the Silent 60 series. The yard has a 20,800-m² facility in Rayong with dedicated areas for each stage of the production process.

A new partnership with Coşkun Bayraktar in Turkey, founder of the Viaport Group has opened up more production opportunities. Bayraktar, who also owns VisionF Yachts in Istanbul, has invested considerable manpower in recent months to start up production of the Silent 60 series, Silent 80 series, SILENT 100 series as well as the new Silent VisionF 82. Boats of each series are already being built in Turkey. Including the Tuzla Viaport Marina, the copperation with VisionF Yachting provides access to more than 100,000 m² of production area.

Record sales in 2021 – the current order book 2021 was a record-breaking year for the brand with 21 yachts sold. There are 17 yachts currently in build at different stages of production, among them eight Silent 60 series, six Silent 80 series, two Silent VisionF 82 and the first Silent 120 (ex-Silent 100). 

Upcoming new launch The next unit to be launched will be a Silent 60 – Front Exit version. The solar electric catamaran will touch the water this month February 2022 and will head straight to the US where the owner is waiting. Another Silent 60 Front Exit will be launched by April and will be followed by more yachts later this year.

“I’m immensely proud of what Silent-Yacht has achieved over the years,” says Silent-Yachts founder and CEO Michael Köhler. “After beginning our research into solar yacht technologies in 2004, the company has evolved and expanded and last year’s sales show that we continue to grow. We are now a truly international Group with diverse interests requiring more extensive resources and production space. This enables us to collaborate with other shipyards such as VisionF to assist them in harnessing solar technology as a step towards a more sustainable future.”

• Silent Yachts

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New Silent Yachts For Sale

Silent yachts are the industry leader in ocean-going production yachts that are completely solar sustainable and powered by solar energy. seaworthy, luxurious, and built to impeccable standards, silent yachts are already desirable without its solar capabilities. with the abundance of solar panels on board each boat, every silent yachts model is able to cruise for 100 nautical miles in complete silence. even while at anchor, the solar-powered generators keep the yacht powered quietly for an unprecedented boating experience. enjoy all the benefits of a power catamaran with the addition of solar energy..

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Silent Yachts 80

Silent Yachts 55

Speak To A Silent Yachts Sales Professional

Silent Yachts offer an environmentally conscious choice when it comes to owning a yacht. Silent Yachts currently offers three solar-powered power catamaran models including the Silent 55, Silent 64, and Silent 80. United Yacht Sales is proud to be the U.S. distributor for Silent Yachts and can assist you in your search for the world's first solar-powered yacht. For more information, please contact United Yacht broker Darren Sell at (561) 351-7333 or by email at [email protected] . 

Where are Silent Yachts built?

Silent Yachts are built through two different shipyards depending on the model. The Silent 55 is built at the world-class shipyard of Mazarin German Yachts which also has a production site located in China. For over 70 years, Mazarin has been a leader in quality yacht construction with over 400 yachts delivered. Mazarin are experts in innovative construction processes that are able to produce light weight yachts.

The Silent 64 and Silent 80 are produced at the Italian-based shipyard Consorzio Navale which is a prestigous consoritum of builders and sub-contractors in the industry. The group has serviced many of the major Italian yacht brands such as Ferretti Yachts and Riva Yachts . Additionally, the Silent Yachts 80 features styling and design by Marco Casali and naval architecture by Insenaval.

Are Silent Yachts really completely solar-powered?

The short answer is yes. Owners can choose to go 100% solar-powered or install diesel engines should higher speeds want to be achieved over longer distances. Silent Yachts can cruise up to 100 miles per day by power acquired through its solar panels. Every day the solar panels are able to generate more power than the total consumption needed for propulsion at cruising speeds plus powering all of the appliances on board. 

How does the solar power work? 

The Silent Yachts power system feeds the electric propulsion of the power cat and all of the energy it needs to run the A/C, refrigerators, and other household appliances. Light-weight lithium batteries provide an ample amount of energy for everything on board. The lithium batteries used in Silent Yachts are the most expensive ones on the market, but also the most reliable, safe, and have the longest life span.

Solar panels are integrated to the roof of the flybridge hardtop sections instead of just being bolted on top, resulting in no wind load or resistance againest them. Below is a video explaining how the system functions and operates back when Silent Yachts were originally called "Solar Wave":

Who is the team behind Silent Yachts?

Heike and Michael Kohler have sent almost their entire lives on a boat. After more than two decades of using various boats, cruisers, and sailboats on multiple oceans, they became dedicated to finding a better energy source for the propulsion of yachts. Between the years of 2005 and 2009, Heike and Michael tested a number of a multitude of various alternative energy sources. In 2009, SolarWave 46 was launched as a proof of concept for their design. While there are many boats and yachts built that use solar power in some fashion, the Solarwave 46 was the first ocean-going yacht to use solar energy to power everything on board from engines to appliances.

What else is different about how Silent Yachts are built?

Certainly the solar-powered engines and generators are the distinguishing characteristic, but there are a lot of other features that make each Silent Yacht unique. For example, the molds were created using a CNC-milling machine that is able to contruct particular shapes for an optimized design. The materials used in the hull include a carbon compositie that is then resin-infused for a light-weight, but very strong platform. Every hull is fully insulated and the long-term durability is exceptional thanks to the high-quality resin used in the infusion process.

What propulsion systems are recommended by Silent Yachts?

Silent Yachts recommends the 2 x 135 engines as the best solution. If the owner is making frequest trips from Point A to B (Say Miami to the Bahamas for example) the faster hybrid is recommended. The main differentiator here is cruising speed. If the owner is living on the yacht for an extended period of time, rarely pushes the engines to top speeds, and stays below 12 knots, then the E-Power is recommended.

When the generator is running, does the 100Kw go to charging the batteries (which run the 250 Kw e-Motors) or directly to the e-Motors?

All of the enery consumers and producers are connected to the bus bar. If there happens to be more power produced than consumed, the excess power goes to re-charge the batteries. If for some reason more power is required than what is produced, the needed power comes from the lithium batteries.

What is the sustained speed if both 100 Kw generators are running?

This answer really depends upon sea condition and the weight of the boat (for example components, additional equipment, water toys, etc.). The sustained speed on average though is between 12 and 14 knots, 10 knots with one generator running. It is possible to cruise at 10 knots without a generator running when using the Solar E-Power.

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SILENT 80 3-Deck: On board SILENT-YACHTS’ most spacious catamaran to date

The future of yachting is here, and it's silent, spacious and energy-saving. SILENT-YACHTS, leader in luxury solar-powered vessels, is set to launch its revolutionary solar-electric flagship – the SILENT 80 3-Deck. With an LOA of 24.3-meters, and the yard’s most voluminous catamaran to date, this cutting-edge yacht is slated to make its debut this year, bringing a new era of responsible yachting to the world's waters.

“What sets the 80 Series apart is that it combines incredibly high levels of luxury and sustainability like no yacht ever before,” says Michael Kohler, founder and CEO of SILENT-YACHTS. “With bespoke design by Marco Casali and 26 kWp produced by the state-of-the-art solar array, there is ample energy to enjoy all the luxurious amenities on board with zero emission.”

Open or closed: Taking customisation to the next level

With the SILENT 80 3-Deck, prospective owners can choose between the 80+-square-metre open or closed fly deck versions. Described as “the defining feature of the yacht” by Kohler, this allows the owner to tailor their onboard experience to their personal preferences.

The open version offers a sprawling 84-square-metre ocean sky lounge on the fly deck, for those who prefer being outdoors with a closer connection to the sea. For those who value privacy and panoramic views, the closed version provides two options. The first option boasts an owner's suite with a staggering 360-degree view and an expansive 41-square-metre private terrace aft. On the other hand, the lounge version is ideal for those who cherish shared experiences on board. It replaces the owner's suite with a generous 39-square-metre dining area, complete with a bar and galley, while maintaining the same aft terrace.

Maximised onboard space

When compared to other catamarans in this size bracket, the SILENT 80 3-Deck has a strategic approach to maximise onboard space without compromising comfort or aesthetics. The boat offers ample storage for water toys beneath the cockpit, enhancing the overall functionality and recreational opportunities of the vessel and making it a dream for watersports enthusiasts.

“In the aft portside hull, the staircase can be raised to reveal a fully enclosed tender garage with a lift and launching system,” Kohler adds. “It fits tenders with a maximum length of 5.2 metres and has a direct charging point to recharge electric SILENT tenders.”

Strategic design: Beauty meets efficiency

The SILENT 80 3-Deck's design is a seamless blend of aesthetics and functionality. The signature window strip running across each hull adds a touch of streamlined elegance to the yacht, a departure from the traditional bulky appearance of many catamarans. Esteemed interior and exterior designer Marco Casali deserves praise for his exceptional work in maximising solar panel coverage while maintaining an elegant and captivating shape. The result is a yacht that not only turns heads but also harnesses the power of the sun to propel you through the water with ease.

“The biggest challenge was to create a design that is visually appealing but also captures as much solar energy as possible,” Kohler explains. “As the solar array of course needs space, it still needs to integrate into the overall visual design language of a yacht in a beautiful manner.”

A solar-powered era of yachting

SILENT-YACHTS is at the forefront of ecological yachting, and the SILENT 80 3-Deck is a testament to its commitment to more sustainable solutions. With cruising speeds of 6-8 knots, the yacht's solar-powered energy system harnesses the sun's rays to generate silent, emission-free propulsion, offering unparalleled efficiency and a virtually maintenance-free experience.

Kohler highlights the importance of producing a yacht that is not only a pleasure to look at, but also very efficient. “All our yachts are required to be highly efficient in order to consume as little energy as possible while providing all the luxuries on board,” he says. “In order to achieve this favourable energy surplus, all onboard appliances need to be highly efficient, and the overall weight of the yacht must remain as low as possible to minimise the energy required for propulsion.”

The 25-year warranty on the solar panels underlines the shipyard's confidence in its green innovation and guarantees uninterrupted, eco-conscious cruising for years to come.

For more information on the SILENT 80 3-Deck, contact the team at SILENT-YACHTS today .

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Silent Hill 2 Remake Includes Option To Turn Off UI And Apply A 90s Filter

Michael Harradence / September 5, 2024

Silent Hill 2 Remake developer Bloober Team has revealed that it is including the option to turn off the UI in the game, as well as apply a 90s filter.

The filter, curiously named since Silent Hill 2 actually came out in 2001 and wasn’t a 90s game, applies a grain effect, colour correction and screen adjustments to give it an old-school flavour. The original Silent Hill 2 naturally was quite grainy and had a bit of a washed out look to its visuals, so being able to replicate this is a nice bonus especially for fans of the PS2 version.

Related Content — Upcoming PS5 Games 2024: The Best PS5 Game Coming Soon

Silent Hill 2 follows James Sunderland as he ventures to the foggy town after receiving a letter from his deceased wife, Mary, who died of a mysterious illness some years before. Upon arriving in town, James finds only a handful of people and the town inhabited by grotesque monsters; however, he is soon thrust into a horrific nightmare that explores the very depths of his subconscious mind.

Recently it was confirmed that an average first playthrough for Silent Hill 2 Remake will take about 16-18 hours , which is around double that of the original game. If you want to discover everything the game has to offer, then you can expect to put around 20 hours into the game.

Bloober Team’s Silent Hill 2 Remake launches on October 8, 2024 for PS5 and PC.

[Source – Bloober Team on X ]

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EpiSci’s AI technology shines in Silent Swarm 2024 as pilot, captain

By Ryan Robertson (Anchor/Reporter), Brett Baker (Senior Producer), Brian Spencer (Video Editor), Dakota Piteo (Senior Motion Designer)

Southern California-based software development firm EpiSci had a significant year. In May, the company participated in an effort that put Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall in the cockpit of an AI-piloted F-16 for a capabilities demonstration.

Recently, EpiSci took part in Silent Swarm 2024, where it moved its AI pilot from the air to the captain’s seat on the water at the Alpena Combat Readiness Center in Michigan.

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The annual exercise featured around 60 technologies and more than 500 participants. EpiSci tested the capabilities of its technology in a contested environment, essentially pitting offense against defense in a maritime battlespace.

Josh Bloom, one of EpiSci’s senior software engineers, said it was a big opportunity for the company’s expanding efforts to meet the Department of Defense’s need for autonomous vehicles.

“Having the ability to really scale up to six boats at Silent Swarm, we’ve since scaled up to 10 boats in testing, and they’ve done this in a matter of six months,” Bloom said. “They’ve gone from no boats to being able to manufacture 15 right now. Just getting out on the water and actually testing in these realistic environments is something that really hasn’t been done before this.”

The exercise highlighted the abilities of the team’s cross-domain collaborative autonomy technology. EpiSci can take the AI out of a jet and run it on six HAVOC-AI Rampage USVs. Therefore, it can use a single command and control operator to carry out a mission.

“That’s really what the algorithms have been developed for,” Bloom said. “They’re built in such a way that a C2 operator only has to interface with one of these boats to interface with the entire swarm. We have message passing that will take a single operator command and distribute it to the rest of the swarm.”

EpiSci’s founder, president and CEO, Bo Ryu, said working on the water, rather than in the air, provided a very practical means to grow their efforts.

“Maritime is actually accelerating a lot faster, obviously, because aircraft are very hard to modify and add something new without certification,” Ryu said. “Experimentally, we are doing really well, but we’ll see how fast it comes down. But in the water, it’s a very different ball game when it comes to speed and scale.”

As the Department of Defense continues to reshape its forces for potential conflicts with near-peer adversaries, speed and scale remains at the top of the list when it comes to to bolstering America’s defense efforts. EpiSci sees the plug-and-play functionality as a driver in getting its technology into the hands of the people who needed it.

“They cannot deal with 10 different autonomy solutions; it’s just a nightmare,” Ryu said. “The government has a very clear goal: can they find a vendor with a technology solution that can rapidly adapt to a new platform without waiting for six months? Can we do it in two weeks? Four weeks? One week? When they change it, that’s really what our team started demonstrating.”

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While integration with multiple platforms remains an overarching goal of EpiSci, Ryu acknowledges there is another learning curve that needs to happen to truly bring this technology to the fight: the human aspect.

Ryu said military leadership should not think of using autonomous vehicles the same way they would with an experienced warfighter in the driver’s seat. Rather, Ryu said, it would take a recalibration of risk assessment to meet specific objectives, as threats could now be addressed in ways they never could with lives at stake.

Access the full Weapons and Warfare episode here .

Access all Weapons and Warfare podcast episodes here .

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article and video stated that Merlin acquired EpiSci in June. While the parties reached an agreement in June, the acquisition was not finalized. Straight Arrow News deeply regrets the error .

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[RYAN ROBERTSON] If you are a fan of the show, you probably heard us talk before about EpiSci, a software development firm out of Southern California. It has been a big year for the startup.

[RYAN ROBERTSON] In May, it was part of an effort that put Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall in the cockpit of an AI-piloted F-16 for a capabilities demonstration. And in June, it was acquired by Merlin, a Boston-based company also working in the AI agent arena.

[RYAN ROBERTSON] And recently, the tech wizards took part in ‘Silent Swarm 2024,’ where they took their AI pilot out of the air and put it into the captain’s seat on the water at the Alpena Combat Readiness Center in Michigan.

[RYAN ROBERTSON] The annual exercise featured around 60 technologies and more than 500 participants. For EpiSci, it was a chance to test the capabilities of its tech in a contested environment. In coach-speak, it was essentially offense against defense in a maritime battlespace.

[JOSH BLOOM] Having the ability to really scale up to, you know, six boats at Silent Swarm, we’ve since scaled up to 10 boats in testing, and they’ve done this in a matter of, like, six months, they’ve gone from no boats all the way to being able to manufacture they’ve got 15 right now. So just getting out on the water and actually testing in these kind of realistic environments is something that really hasn’t been done before this.

[RYAN ROBERTSON] The exercise highlighted the abilities of the team’s cross-domain collaborative autonomy technology. Think of it as plug and play. Taking their AI out of a jet and running it on six HAVOC-AI Rampage USVs. Using a single command and control operator to carry out the mission.

[JOSH BLOOM] That’s really what the algorithms have been developed for, and they’re built in such a way that a C2 operator only has to interface with one of these boats in order to interface with the entire swarm. So we have message passing that will take a single operator command and distribute it to the rest of the swarm.

[RYAN ROBERTSON] EpiSci’s founder, president, and CEO, Bo Ryu, says working on the water, rather than in the air, provides a very practical means to grow their efforts.

[BO RYU] Maritime is actually accelerating a lot faster, obviously, because aircraft are very hard to modify and add something new without certification. Experimentally, we are doing really well, but we’ll see how fast it comes down. But in the water, it’s a very different ball game when it comes to speed and scale.

[RYAN ROBERTSON] As the Department of Defense continued to reshape its forces for potential conflicts with near-peer adversaries, speed and scale remained at the top of the list when it came to bolstering America’s defense efforts. EpiSci saw having that plug-and-play functionality as a driver in getting its technology into the hands of the people who needed it.

[BO RYU] They cannot deal with 10 different autonomy solutions; it’s just a nightmare. The government has a very clear goal: can they find a vendor with a technology solution that can rapidly adapt to a new platform without waiting for six months? Can we do it in two weeks? Four weeks? One week? When they change it, that’s really what our team started demonstrating.

[RYAN ROBERTSON] While integration with multiple platforms remained an overarching goal of EpiSci, Ryu acknowledged there was another learning curve that needed to happen to truly bring this technology to the fight: the human aspect.

[BO RYU] Military leadership should not think of using autonomous vehicles the same way they would with an experienced warfighter in the driver’s seat. It is going to take a recalibration of risk assessment to meet specific objectives, as threats can now be addressed in ways they never could with lives at stake.

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Bayesian yacht sinking latest: Captain ‘insists he did everything he could’ to save passengers

Captain james cutfield, ship engineer tim parker eaton and sailor matthew griffith all under investigation for manslaughter, article bookmarked.

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The captain of the Bayesian has insisted that he did everything possible to save those on board the superyacht , according to local reports.

Sources close to James Cutfield, 51, told the Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera that the 51-year-old New Zealander is currently living through the darkest days of his life as he is under investigation for possible manslaughter and culpable shipwreck charges.

They reportedly said Mr Cutfield repeatedly insists that he did not abandon any of the 22 passengers and crew and that he did everything could could to save them.

However, there reached a point when he could do little as the vessel had taken on too much water, they added.

Since Wednesday, Tim Parker Eaton, the engineer who was in charge of securing the yacht’s engine room, and sailor Matthew Griffith, who was on watch duty on the night of the disaster, are also under investigation for the same possible charges , their lawyer said on Friday.

British technology tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah were among the seven people who were killed after his superyacht capsized and went down on 19 August within minutes of being hit by a pre-dawn storm off the coast of Sicily .

Who was on the Bayesian?

British technology tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah were among the people initially unaccounted for after his superyacht Bayesian sank in a storm off the coast of Sicily in the early hours of 19 August.

Last Saturday morning, Italian authorities announced a manslaughter investigation had been launched into the deaths of seven people, after a five-day operation that has seen divers carefully navigating their way into the cabin bedrooms.

After a decade-long legal battle which had seen him extradited to the US to face an $11bn fraud case, Mr Lynch had celebrated by inviting his close friends, colleagues and those who helped him on his legal team aboard his boat as a gesture of gratitude.

Here’s what we know about the 22 people on board:

Who was on Bayesian and how they were celebrating end of Mike Lynch’s court battles

Italian authorities announced a manslaughter investigation had been launched into the deaths of seven people

Ex-court appointed guard says Mike Lynch ‘became more like a family’

A court-appointed armed guard, tasked with ensuring Mike Lynch did not abscond while facing fraud charges, has paid tribute to the tech mogul, saying the security team “became less of a detail and more like a family”.

Rolo Igno also described “the memory of a beautiful soul” in Mr Lynch’s daughter Hannah, 18, after they died in the sinking of the luxury superyacht Bayesian off the coast of Sicily early on 19 August.

Mr Lynch founded software giant Autonomy in 1996, and was cleared in June of carrying out a massive fraud relating to its 11 billion dollar (£8.64 billion) sale to US company Hewlett Packard, after a trial at a federal court in San Francisco , California.

Ellie Ng reports:

Rolo Igno also paid tribute to ‘the memory of a beautiful soul’ in Mr Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter Hannah.

Three crew members under investigation left Italy on Wednesday

The three crew members who are under investigation over the sinking of the Bayesian superyacht left Italy on Wednesday, according to a lawyer.

The ship’s captain, New Zealander James Cutfield, Tim Parker Eaton, the engineer who was in charge of securing the yacht’s engine room, and sailor Matthew Griffith, who was on watch duty on the night of the disaster, have all been placed under investigation for possible manslaughter and culpable shipwreck charges.

Lawyer Mario Scopesi said that both Parker Eaton and Griffith left Italy on Wednesday, along with Cutfield and the rest of the crew.

Teenager who died in superyacht tragedy was ‘diamond in sea of stars’

The daughter of tech tycoon Mike Lynch, who died with her father on the luxury superyacht Bayesian, has been described as a “diamond in a sea of stars” by a survivor from the tragedy.

Hannah Lynch, aged 18, was one of 22 people onboard her father’s luxury boat the Bayesian when it capsized during stormy weather on 19 August.

Her body was discovered along with her father by rescue teams following the disaster off the island of Sicily. A manslaughter investigation has since been launched by Italian authorities.

Teenager who died in superyacht tragedy was ‘a diamond in a sea of stars’

Hannah Lynch was among seven people, including her father Mike, who died after the luxury superyacht Bayesian sank off the coast of Sicily

Watch: Moment Bayesian yacht engulfed by storm

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Here you can find the answers to all of the most frequently asked questions about Silent Yachts. If you have additional questions, our team will be happy to advise you.

01. What is the price of a Silent yacht?

For more information about the prices of our Silent yacht models, please get in touch here: Contact

02. Can a Silent yacht cross the Atlantic?

All our yachts are CE-A certified, which means that they are suitable for ocean crossings. In 2018, the Silent 64 set a world record as the first serial production solar powered electric yacht to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

03. Are electrical yachts practical?

Yes. As the propulsion system of an electrical yacht has fewer components and is much smaller than a conventional drivetrain, there is an additional amount of space on board which can be used for a variety of purposes.

04. Are electric yachts quiet?

Silent yachts are quiet, as the electric motors are noiseless. However, some manufacturers make use gearboxes which could be relatively noisy.

05. Are electric yachts cheaper?

While the purchasing price of electric yachts is similar to the price of conventionally powered yachts, the ownership costs are far lower. This is a result of lower maintenance due to the lack of moving parts of a normal engine, less repairs bills and minimal to no expenses for fuel.

06. Can you buy a Silent yacht?

Yes, Silent Yachts offers full serial production solar powered electric yachts ranging from 60 to 120 feet.

07. Is there any electric yacht?

Silent Yachts are the first ocean-going electric production yachts in the world, which are powered by solar energy. Storing the energy of the sun in state of the art battery banks enables guests on board to be fully solar sustainable while having the possibility of unlimited range with zero emission.

08. Do you offer sustainable materials on board?

Yes, we do. You have a choice to choose between premium sustainable materials such as bamboo, flax fibre, basalt fibre and cork. They help shape a unique yachting experience while significantly reducing the overall footprint on the environment. For more details, please visit our dedicated sustainability chapter.

09. What is the meaning of the number in each of the Silent Yachts model names?

The number of each model (Silent 60, Silent 62, Silent 80, Silent 120) indicates the overall length of the yacht in feet.

10. Which boating licence do I need?

Silent yachts require the same motorboat license as any other boat of the same length in the same operational area. No specific license required.

11. What about the CE-A Certification? What does it mean for the buyer?

All boats available on the market are classified according to four different CE categories.

Category A – Ocean: This is the certification level with the toughest standards and covers vessels of 40’ and over which are designed to be self-sufficient for extended voyages. It is defined as the “category of boats considered suitable for seas with significant wave heights of up to 23 feet (7 meters) and winds of Beaufort force 9 (41-47 knots) or less, but excluding abnormal conditions such as hurricanes.”

Category B – Offshore: Boats operating offshore with winds to 40 knots and significant seas to 13 feet.

Category C – Inshore: Boats operating in coastal waters and large bays and lakes with winds to force 6, up to 27 knots, and significant seas 7 feet high.

Category D – Inland or sheltered coastal waters: boats in small lakes and rivers with winds to force 4 and significant wave heights to 18 inches.

All our yachts are CE-A certified, which is the highest level of certification obtainable in Europe. As a result, all Silent Yachts are true ocean cruisers designed to circumnavigate the world.

12. What are advanced sea trials?

The goal of advanced sea trials is to experience solar powered yachting first-hand and receive a personal introduction to understand the technology and its benefits in order to be able to make an informed purchase decision.

If you would like to come on board and do an advanced sea trial, please get in touch here: Contact

13. How much does it cost to operate a solar powered yacht?

The operational costs of a solar powered yacht are far lower in comparison to regular diesel-powered motor yachts. The main reason here fore is the fact that an electric motor only has one moving part in comparison to the hundreds of moving components of an internal combustion engine. Virtually no maintenance means virtually no maintenance costs. Secondly, refueling the conventional yacht with diesel makes up for a significant proportion of the operational costs. Recharging a Silent with the help of the sun however is free.

14. Are there different cabin configurations for each Silent yacht model?

Yes, every model in our range offers a variety of different cabin configurations to suit different needs. On our website you can find the standard cabin configuration of each model. If you would like to take a look at further cabin configurations, please get in touch with our team and they will provide you with the respective model brochures which showcase all options.

15. What are the main advantages of a solar powered Silent yacht?

In terms of the actual yachting experience, Silent yachts offer virtually unlimited range with zero emission. Furthermore, noiseless cruising makes sure you will have relaxing time on board.

The solar-electric drivetrain is not only the safest and most reliable marine propulsion system, in comparison to regular internal combustion engines there is virtually no maintenance required as well.

From an operations point of view, there are 8 years of warranty on the battery banks, 40 years on the solar panels and life-time warranty on the electric motors. Every Silent yacht is CE-A certified and therefore offers full trans-ocean crossing capabilities.

For more information, check out “Why Solar Power?” and “Why Silent Technology?”

16. What is the difference between a solar powered electric Silent yacht and a conventional powered yacht?

Conventional motor yachts are powered by diesel- or gas-engines. Additionally, they have one or even two generators on board to supply all household appliances. Hence, depending on the size of the yacht, a total number of 3 or 4 diesel engines are used to provide propulsion and feed the household devices with energy.

Sailing yachts need a diesel-engine too. Depending on the operational area as well as the wind- and weather-conditions, a diesel engine is required in addition to the sails for the propulsion of the boat. When anchoring in a quiet bay, the diesel generators ensure the energy-supply of the household appliances on board. In fact sailing vessels have a very similar engine setup as a motor yacht, just less powerful, therefore a sailing catamaran of 80 feed has always 2 diesel engines for the propulsion and 2 diesel generators. Compared to that an electric Silent yacht requires only one diesel generator, which reduces the required maintenance and the costs significantly.

As most yachts use gas for cooking, the open flame not only heats up the interior but also causes an imminent threat. Furthermore, on many yachts the consumables like water and energy are managed in a way that enforces the skipper to visit a marina every two or three days to charge the batteries and to buy water for showering and drinking. In contrast to that a Silent yacht is autonomous and self-sufficient. Therefore there is need to go to a marina on a regular basis, as a Silent produces the energy and the water it needs on its own with solar energy.

Lastly, a conventionally powered boat has a range of 300 to 500 nautical miles before needing to refill the diesel engine. The use of a combustion-engine is, of course, inevitably also combined with noise, exhausts and oily films in the water.

In comparison, a Silent yacht can cross oceans and stay in a bay for months by storing the energy generated through the solar panels in large capacity batteries. This electrical energy is used for propulsion and well as powering all household appliances on board. All this happens completely noiseless, without vibrations and pollution while also offering the possibility of having virtually unlimited range.

01. How big of an electric motor do I need for my solar powered yacht?

The smallest electric motors fitted to a Silent yacht are two 50 kW motors on the cruiser configuration of the Silent 60 series.

02. How do electric yachts get fresh water?

All Silent Yachts are equipped with a water maker, which processes sea water into fresh water.

03. Can you power a yacht with an electric motor?

All Silent Yachts are powered by electric motors. The instantly available torque ensures a smooth drive at any time. More information on our electric propulsion system can be found on our technology page .

04. How long does an electric yacht motor last?

As electric motors only have one moving part, they are very reliable in comparison to regular internal combustion engines, which have a larger number of moving parts. Therefore, at Silent Yachts we offer a lifetime warranty on all electric motors installed in our yachts.

05. What motors do Silent yachts use?

Silent yachts engineers design and configurate our proprietary in-house drivetrains. We only integrate components from leading producers in their respective industries. For more information about the solar-electric drivetrain , please visit “Why Silent Technology” .

06. Do electric yachts have generators?

All Silent yachts are equipped with back-up range extenders, which can recharge the battery banks whenever needed. More information can be found on our “Why Solar Power?” page.

07. How efficient are electric yachts?

As Silent yachts were created to be fully electric from the ground-up, they are highly efficient. Every aspect of our yachts, from the design of the hull to the interior and its appliances is designed to minimize energy consumption and maximize efficiency. This enables sustainable self-propulsion with virtually unlimited range. More information can be found here “Why Silent Technology?” .

08. Where do our yachts get electricity from?

The main source of energy of our yachts is the sun. In a typical holiday region during the typical holiday season on an average sunny day the solar panels produce enough energy to power the propulsion system as well as all household and navigational appliances on board for regular holiday use. To learn more about the solar technology powering our yachts, please visit our dedicated chapter here  “Why Solar Power?” .

09. How fast can a Silent yacht go?

The cruising speed is usually around 6 – 8 kn.

10. Why are there no wind generators?

During the testing phase of the Solarwave 46 Prototype, Michael & Heike gathered extensive experiences with the usage of wind generators as well. The energy they generate does not compensate for the energy loss they produce by throwing shade on the panels. When turning at high speeds, wind generators are also very noisy and do not create a Silent cruising experience. Depending on their placement, they are also quite dangerous, potentially creating serious safety hazards.

It is not surprising that not even sailors on sailing boats choose the windiest regions of this planet for their holiday. They prefer to stay in a calm a protected bay for swimming and even more to stay over-night. Calm and protected means no wind and therefore no energy coming from the wind generator. However, the shade created by the wind generators would affect the solar panels on every sunny day and as a result reduce the daily production.

11. Can the generator charge depleted batteries and power the ship including all the appliances on board while the boat is underway?

Yes. The generator can recharge the battery whenever necessary. However, it is generally not required to start the generator for the operation of any of the household appliances on board. It is also not required to start the generator for higher cruising speeds. It merely functions as a back-up in case you travel longer distances at high cruising speeds.

12. What about adding a regular sail or kite sail?

As regular sails would throw a lot of shade on the panels, which would lead to a significant decrease in energy, all our models are available with an optional kite sail system instead.

In comparison to a regular sail, the fully automatic towing kite has several advantages:

• No shade created on the panels • Up to 10x more towing power created per m2 • Less maintenance required • Lower maintenance costs

For all sailors who would love to make use of the wind as well, the kite sail system perfectly complements the trademark Silent Yachts solar electric drivetrain as an effective addition.

13. Is there a video showcasing the energy generation & consumption of your electric yachts in realistic scenarios?

Yes, you can check out our Silent 80 energy generation & consumption video here .

The storyline takes you along on a trip of two days in order to showcase a variety of realistic scenarios, based on the Silent 80 E-Power + version. It will show you exactly how different situations affect the production and overall energy management with the help of the solar panels, electric motors and lithium battery banks on board.

14. Which propulsion system do Silent yachts offer?

All our models are powered by our unique solar electric drivetrain. It consists of market leading solar panels, powerful electric motors, state-of-the-art lithium batteries and an efficient back-up generator. This system produces enough power in order to supply energy for propulsion as well as all onboard appliances. For more details, please visit “Why Solar Power?” .

15. How many kW do the solar panels generate?

The amount of power generated by the solar panels in total depends on the specific model. Here are the individual peak power figures and the daily production of each Silent yacht:

Silent 60 & Silent 62 3-Deck

• 16 kWp – about 100 kWh per day

Silent 80 & Silent 80 3-Deck

• 26 kWp – about 150 kWh per day
• 40 kWp – about 240 kWh per day

Important to note – the kWp does not tell you anything about the daily production. When the panels are mounted in an unfavourable angle to the sun – for instance on the sides of the hulls – they are shaded for most of the time of the day. Same applies if they are mounted on a roof with a mast and a boom placed on top of it. Or if they are configured in smaller areas of different size and different angle to the sun. In all these cases their production will be close to zero. It is not surprising that yachts of same size having panels on the hull sides harvest only a third of the energy which you get on a Silent.

The design of our solar roof and our arrangement of the panels are the secrets of the “Silent Autonomy”, which makes our Silent yachts so unique.

16. Which company builds the electric propulsion system?

The electric propulsion system is built in-house by using highest quality industrial grade products. Our specific configuration of every individual component makes the resulting system unique.

01. Can Silent Yachts be used for commercial use such as passenger ferries?

While commercial uses are not part of our regular model range, we have already customized our solar powered yachts for such situations in the past. The Silent 55 has been built as a passenger ferry. Therefore, we would kindly ask you to get in touch with us in order to evaluate potential commercial usage regarding your specific needs.