REGENT Craft’s first passenger-carrying Seaglider begins sea trials

REGENT Craft revealed last week the first full-scale seaglider prototype, a high-speed maritime vessel with humans on board that connects coastal destinations.

The full-scale crewed seaglider completed the first on-water tests of the prototype with humans onboard, the Rhode Island-based developer and manufacturer of all-electric seagliders REGENT Craft said, kicking off a testing campaign that will culminate in the first human seaglider flight mid-year.

The seaglider prototype, at 55ft long with a 65ft wingspan, operates exclusively over water in three modes-floating on the hull, foiling above the waves on hydrofoils, and flying in ground effect within one wingspan of the surface of the water.

REGENT’s flagship seaglider, Viceroy, is a 12-passenger vehicle that travels at up to 180mph to service routes up to 180 miles on a single charge.

“Stepping off the dock and onto the Viceroy seaglider prototype for the first time was surreal” said Mike Klinker, Co-founder and CTO of REGENT.

“I felt honored to be in the cockpit as she left the dock for the first time and started sea trials. This was the first voyage of a vessel that is destined to transform mobility-the era of seagliders has begun.”

In maritime tradition, REGENT christened the vessel, named Paladin, before lowering her into Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island.

REGENT claims that it has an order book worth more than $9bn from customers around the world.

The company flew its quarter-scale seaglider prototype in 2022 and recently signed an agreement with Strategic Development Fund (SDF), an Abu Dhabi-based investment company and part of EDGE Group, to establish a joint venture that will bring seaglider manufacturing capabilities, maintenance services, and crew training to the UAE.

“Sea trials are just the beginning,” said Billy Thalheimer, REGENT Co-founder and CEO.

“This is the first step toward delivering Viceroy seagliders around the world and fulfilling our global order book. It’s a true testament to the dedication of our world-class team and partners across the globe that we’ve accomplished this historic milestone in just four years since our founding. Today, we’re one step closer to meeting what we have now validated as massive global market demand for seagliders,” he added.

^{Video credit: REGENT Craft}