Vessev built an electric ferry that almost flies

Vessev’s VS‑9 electric hydrofoil ferry, a 30‑foot catamaran‑style vessel equipped with wing‑like foils and an in‑house electric motor, completed a public demonstration on October 13 as it glided from the Brooklyn Marina toward Governors Island on New York’s East River. Co‑founder and CEO Eric Laakmann explained that the boat lifts most of its hull out of the water via a front foil, with a rear foil handling about 20 percent of the lift and housing the motor, while computer‑controlled underwater flaps keep the ride smooth and stable. The design allows the ferry to skim the surface at speed, reducing drag and improving efficiency—crucial for electric propulsion where every kilowatt‑hour matters. Vessev, which raised a $19 million Series A in August, built the motor itself to control costs, outsourcing only the commoditized batteries.

The hydrofoil’s ability to lift the hull clear of the water makes it especially suited for urban waterways such as lakes, rivers, and bays, where wave heights stay below the roughly two‑and‑a‑half‑foot clearance the VS‑9 requires. By minimizing drag, the technology can lower operating costs for small electric vessels, a benefit Vessev hopes will enable the ferries to serve as extensions of city mass‑transit networks, shuttling passengers between boroughs without extensive new infrastructure. Early market targets include hotels, tour operators, and affluent private buyers attracted by the novelty of a “almost‑flying” boat, while the company also envisions future sales of electric hydrofoil kits that other boatbuilders could integrate into their designs.

While the demonstration showcased a smooth, sports‑car‑like ride, Laakmann cautioned that hydrofoils are not a universal solution; rough seas that exceed the vessel’s clearance cause the hull to contact water, degrading performance and efficiency. Nonetheless, Vessev plans to move beyond the one‑off VS‑9 prototype, aiming to produce additional units and eventually offer retrofit kits. If successful, the technology could reshape urban water transit by providing a low‑emission, high‑speed alternative to conventional ferries, potentially influencing how cities worldwide approach commuter and tourist transport on inland waterways.

⚡ Effects Interpreter