Mercury Marine and BlueNav have introduced a collaborative propulsion setup that adds retractable electric motors alongside conventional outboard engines. Rather than merging combustion and electric power into a shared drivetrain, the architecture keeps the primary petrol engine for high-speed transit and uses twin auxiliary electric units for low-speed operation. The configuration targets both new builds and retrofits, enabling boat owners to add electric capability without replacing existing outboard hardware or compromising long-range capability.
Demonstrated aboard a Highfield Patrol 700 RIB ahead of the Cannes Yachting Festival, the system relies on specialized navigation software to supply dynamic positioning, automated course holding, and precision docking. Electric power takes over during operations under five knots — such as harbor maneuvering and station keeping — which represent approximately thirty percent of typical time spent underway. The modular design operates independently of engine brand, offering a straightforward path toward lower localized emissions without requiring extensive structural alterations.
- Main propulsion: 250 hp Mercury SeaPro outboard
- Auxiliary electric propulsion: 2 x 8 kW BlueNav retractable motors (16 kW combined output)
- Combined electric thrust: 220 kgf
- System voltage: 48 V
- Control features: Virtual Anchor position holding, Smart Mooring, 360-degree thrust vectoring
