Yorkshire firm set to provide technical support for world-record sailing attempt

Team Britannia, the organisation behind the latest attempt to set the world-record for sailing around the world in the fastest time, has appointed Yorkshire-based Maktec Marine to provide technical support for its engine fuel and oil performance.

Maktec Marine, based in Whitby, was founded by Mark Cornforth. The challenge is to beat the current world-record holder New Zealander Pete Bethune’s time of 60 days 23 hours 49 minutes for the 23,000 mile voyage.

The attempt will be made in a specially designed 80ft powerboat called Excalibur, which is being built in  the UK, ahead of the world-record attempt in 2018, led by well-known ocean adventurer Dr Alan Priddy.

Cornforth said the world-record effort is taking on even greater significance as the vessel will be powered by a ground-breaking new eco-fuel called Hydro Diesel. The fuel has been developed over the last two years by  Clean Fuel Ltd, owned by Dr Priddy, and is made of a mixture of diesel, water and emulsifying agent.

In tests, Hydro Diesel dramatically reduces harmful emissions such as particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide when used in existing diesel engines.

Cornforth said: “Maktec has developed its engine expertise working on all kinds of vessels and engines around the world over the last 20 years.

“We are absolutely delighted to be chosen as technical engine support and fuel oil performance advisers for this incredible record attempt and longer term as the distributor of Hydro Diesel. The challenge reflects Maktec’s passion to make engines greener, less harmful and more energy efficient.

“At Maktec we know the diesel industry at sea and on land has to find urgent solutions to become greener. Hydro Diesel is designed to work on existing diesel engines in ships, cars and other vehicles. The Britannia Challenge is aiming grab global attention showing that there is a green- fuel solution to the chronic problem of harmful diesel engine emissions.”

Cornforth said the Hydro Diesel will be put to the ultimate test powering the Excalibur’s 800HP engines in relentless and complex sea and weather conditions.

“The engines and the fuel will be under huge pressure and in support I will be crewing on the Pacific leg of the journey to determine Hydro Diesel’s performance and monitor oil condition,” he said.

“We want to be transparent in how Hydro Diesel performs. When the Hydro Diesel stands up to the world record attempt we are aiming to see it enter the market quickly as a seriously disruptive eco-fuel.”

Cornforth says Maktec has also signed up to sponsor the record attempt and its branding will be displayed by Excalibur’s crew.

Maktec offers service, inspection and repair of a wide range of approved oils for all types of ship diesel and gas engines worldwide, but is especially known globally as experts and supervisors working on MaK, MAN, Sulzer, Wartsila and Jenbacher engines. In October, Maktec announced it had been appointed global distributor for the maritime sector by the UK’s largest independent lubricant manufacturer Exol.