WIREDGOV

Tourism Minister, Lord Elis-Thomas, will visit RibRide Adventure Tours, Anglesey on Monday 19 February, to hear of the company’s innovative new development for the Year of the Sea 2018, which has been supported through Visit Wales funding.

The team at RibRide have set themselves a speed challenge to celebrate the ‘Year of the Sea’. A RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) has been designed and specified for speed at sea. The RIB is named ‘Velocity’.

Skipper Phil Scott, owner of RibRide Adventure Tours, said:

“Adding to our fleet of RIB’s was an idea that sparked with the team. We could design a RIB which was fast, and I mean super-fast, to become the fastest passenger RIB in the world. We could design and build it in the UK and run it here in Wales.”

The RIB was designed at the end of 2017 and has already gone into production in the UK. Delivery is expected by May 2018. This project has been supported by the Micro Small Business Fund (MSBF)through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

Skipper Phil said:

“Wales has the fastest Zip line in the world at Zip World, Bethesda called ‘Velocity’. Our friends at Zip World were enthusiastic about us using the same name for the fastest RIB in the world. Through this cooperation we are helping to build North Wales as a highly attractive proposition for the travel savvy adventure tourist.”

Lord Elis-Thomas said: 

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support this innovative venture through our funding and that this development will continue to put north Wales on the map as an adventure destination.  The Year of the Sea is our opportunity for Wales to make its mark as the UK’s top 21st century coastal destination by promoting our world-class products, activities, events and experiences – ‘Velocity’ will be another attraction over the summer.”

The ‘Velocity’ RIB has already created new employment at RibRide. It is hoped that the projected growth will bring economic advantages to the North wales area. The RibRide team have been working with the marine regulators to help lay solid foundations for this and subsequent high-speed boats.

Skipper Phil said:

“We are working to build the fastest passenger RIB in the world. We hope we can claim a number of new world records. It’s great that we can share this excitement with passengers and our RibRiders will be a part of this challenge. ‘Velocity’ will travel to the speed of scream in 30 seconds. Our expert and highly trained Skippers will take you on two measured proving trips before the final and fastest run of the day is made, taking you to optimum ‘Velocity’.”