A London rowing club has launched an electric boat to reduce emissions on the River Thames and open water access to underserved communities. The initiative aims to electrify its entire fleet, replacing gasoline engines with silent, emission-free alternatives. The Thames, biologically dead in the 1950s, now hosts 125 species of fish and seals.
Silent motors for rowing without disturbing the seals 🦭
The vessel uses a low-power electric motor coupled with lithium batteries, designed to operate without vibrations or exhaust gases. The Port of London Authority supports the project, with the goal of the river being cleaner than during the Industrial Revolution by 2050. Although water quality still requires improvement, reducing noise and emissions is a technically viable step for small fleets.
From the dead river to an ecological spa for seals 🌊
We went from a biologically dead Thames to one where seals bask in the sun while rowers pass in silence. The only problem: now fish don't know whether to flee from the motor or stay and listen to the hum. The port authority dreams of a river cleaner than during the Industrial Revolution, but it's still a long way from not having to wash your feet with shampoo after rowing.