Red Funnel's "game changing" new Red Jet could enter service from early next year, the boss of the Isle of Wight ferry firm has said, promising it will be "even more reliable" than the current fleet.
Fran Collins has also revealed designs for three new vehicle ferries have been "fully scoped" and the company is ready to take them to shipyards once further investment is sought.
At a live demonstration event in Cowes, guests and the media were given the chance to board a smaller prototype vessel of the new Red Jet, using the same technology.
Operating with zero emissions, the Artemis EF-24 foot passenger ferry will run off electric foiling technology and is seen as the first step to 'decarbonising the maritime industry'.
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Although the actual Artemis vessel will be three times wider and twice as long as the prototype, the sailing proved to be much quieter, and a lot smoother than a usual Red Jet crossing.
The reason for this is because, unlike the current vessels, the boat operates using a hydrofoil propulsion system, lifting it out of the water and allowing it to fly over waves, reducing drag and wake, and "improving comfortability".
"With this technology it's electric motor, so we expect it to be even more reliable."
Despite travelling at speeds of up to 36 knots, the Artemis does not move through water by displacing it (pushing it aside), meaning the vessel does not have to slow down as far away from the harbours like the current Red Jets.
Ms Collins said it means the service, which runs every 35 minutes at present, could return to providing a 30 minute service.
Operating on a 288kw battery, the vessel will be charged overnight and then topped up through the day, when passengers embark and disembark either side of the Solent.
And although the current Red Jet vessels have capacity for around 256 passengers, "most of the time" they only operate to 148 passengers, Ms Collins said.
Artemis will also take around 150.
Despite setting sail from early next year, Ms Collins said the Artemis, crewed by three, would not be replacing the other Red Jets straight away.
"We'll introduce this on gradual phases, prioritising the lifeline services", she said.
"This is a three year trial, so we bring the vessel down, do the crew training and start to introduce her to service."
As for the company's ageing car ferry fleet, Ms Collins said she was hoping designs could have been taken to shipyards by the end of last year but it will now be "as soon as possible".
The Artemis is expected to come into service in early 2026, with crew training set to begin at the end of this year.
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