REGENT’S ELECTRIC SEAGLIDER HITS A MILESTONE WITH PASSENGER TEST
The Regent Viceroy electric seaglider completed its first passenger-carrying sea trials in March 2025, marking the most significant milestone yet for Rhode Island-based startup Regent Craft. The 55-foot, 12-passenger prototype became the world's first full-scale crewed seaglider to carry humans on water, and at 65 feet across its wingspan, it is also the largest all-electric flying machine ever built. At 180 mph and a projected range of 180 miles, it is also the fastest electric vessel in its class.
What is a seaglider and how does wing-in-ground effect work?
Wing-in-ground effect (WIG) is a principle of aerodynamics where a winged vehicle experiences significantly reduced drag when flying within one wingspan of a surface. Near-surface air compression between the wing and the water creates a cushion of high pressure that dramatically improves lift efficiency, allowing a WIG vehicle to carry far more payload per unit of battery than a conventional aircraft at altitude. The Viceroy exploits this effect by flying between 30 and 60 feet above the water, staying within one wingspan length of the surface at all times. This keeps the vessel classified as a maritime vessel rather than an aircraft, simplifying certification pathways through the U.S. Coast Guard rather than the FAA.
Three operating modes: hull, hydrofoil, flight
The Viceroy operates across three distinct modes depending on speed and conditions. At low speed in harbour, it floats on its hull like a conventional boat. As speed increases, it rises onto retractable hydrofoils, lifting the hull clear of the water and eliminating wave drag. At cruise speed it transitions into wing-in-ground-effect flight, leaving the water surface entirely. The transition between modes is handled automatically by the Viceroy's flight control software, which also manages the electric motors powering the propellers. U.S. Coast Guard certification has been granted for prototype operation, following rigorous validation of the motors, battery management system and control software.
Commercial ambitions: $9 billion in orders and a new factory
Regent Craft broke ground on a 255,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Rhode Island in January 2025, targeting production startup in 2026. The company reports more than $9 billion in pre-orders globally, covering applications from island-hopping tourist routes in tropical regions to maritime logistics and defence applications with the U.S. Marine Corps. The addressable market is any coastal route where conventional ferries are too slow and short-haul aviation is too expensive. Full sea trials are expected to culminate in the first human flight in ground-effect by mid-2025.
The official Regent Craft announcement is at Regent Craft's sea trials press release, and New Atlas published a detailed breakdown of how the Viceroy seaglider passed its passenger test.
What comes next for regional electric mobility?
The Viceroy's success accelerates a broader shift in regional transportation. Short-haul aviation is under pressure from electrification timelines and operating economics, while conventional high-speed ferries struggle with fuel costs and limited speed. Seagliders occupy a gap in between: faster than any boat, cheaper to operate than any aircraft, and zero-emission in service. Regent Craft's early traction suggests the market agrees that this gap needs filling. Photo: Regent Craft
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