HX Expeditions has launched two new ‘Silent Science Boats’ – featuring a lightweight hull, inflatable pontoons and powered by electricity and designed to minimise underwater noise pollution.
The two new MK 5 vessels are fully electric and feature RAD Propulsion’s RAD 40 drive system, the most advanced electric drives on the market. They are found on two HX ships, MS Fram and hybrid-battery powered MS Fridtjof Nansen, operating in the Arctic and Antarctic. These vessels will be used predominately for the ships’ science team, for guest science boats trips and for guest scientist conducting research.
As part of HX’s commitment to scientific integrity, environmental stewardship, and lower-impact exploration, the introduction of electric Zodiacs marks a major step toward phasing out traditional petroleum-based engines. These vessels enable silent discovery in remote destinations such as Antarctica, giving guest scientists, expedition teams, and travelling guests the rare opportunity to observe and study marine life with minimal disturbance.
“Sound pollution is one of the most underestimated environmental impacts in these polar regions,” HX Expeditions chief scientist Dr. Verena Meraldi said.
“For wildlife under the surface – especially whales – noise can mean the difference between thriving and struggling. With these silent boats added to our hybrid-electric ships, we’re not just enhancing the experience for our guest scientists and guests; we’re reducing our environmental footprint in the places that need it most.”
“Conducting research from HX’s new electric Zodiacs will transform the way I can study whales in Antarctica,” HX guest scientist and renowned marine scientist Dr. Ari Friedlaender said.
“The silence of these vessels compared to traditional engines allows us to approach wildlife with far less disturbance, making our observations more natural. It’s a game-changer for science in these remote environments.”
“These boats are equipped to transport small groups of our guest scientists, our science team and our guests who are all conducting wildlife observations, oceanographic research, and biodiversity studies – now with a fraction of the acoustic interference,” HX chief operating officer Iain McNeill said.
“This marks the beginning of a fleet-wide transformation. The long-term goal: to fully replace traditional combustion engine zodiacs with clean, electric alternatives across the HX fleet.”
“We’re proud to supply our RAD 40 power consoles for the MK 5 vessels, enabling fully electric operation in some of the world’s most sensitive and remote environments,” RAD Propulsions head of products Sam Pickering said.
“Supporting clean, quiet operations in protected regions like the Arctic and Antarctica reflects our commitment to developing advanced marine propulsion systems that reduce environmental impact while delivering reliable, high-performance solutions for a wide range of applications.”
