How Seaglider vessels can help Rhode Island lead the next era of maritime innovation

I recently had the chance to speak to Rhode Island State representatives about a bill that would invest $1 million in the next fiscal year to the 401 Tech Bridge, and organization that accelerates Blue Economy technology, to fund a study on Seagliders in Rhode Island.

We already have strong evidence that Seagliders can drive meaningful economic growth and establish Rhode Island as a national leader in the Blue Economy. This study would expand that research and show how we can realize those benefits.  

Economic Growth

A Seaglider fleet operating in Rhode Island could generate over $100 million in annual economic impact and create up to 400 high-paying jobs across operations, maintenance, infrastructure, and support services.  

REGENT is already building that future here with over 100 employees and plans to grow headcount to over 700 in the next decade, as well as a 255,000 sq ft manufacturing facility opening this year in Quonset. The foundation for a new maritime industry is taking shape.

Improved Transportation

Seagliders offer a high-speed, convenient alternative to road travel, taking cars off roads and pressure off infrastructure.

Seagliders could take passengers from Providence to Newport in under 20 minutes, Block Island in under 30, and Martha’s Vineyard in 40.  

Climate Leadership

Rhode Island's Act on Climate mandates net-zero emissions by 2050. Transportation is responsible for roughly one-third of emissions. REGENT’s Viceroy Seaglider is fully electric, which means zero emissions.  

This is one of the few opportunities where economic growth and climate action are perfectly aligned. We don't have to choose between jobs and sustainability. This is both.

A Growing Movement

The Rhode Island Seaglider Initiative is a growing movement of employers, infrastructure leaders, and workforce organizations aligned around a single idea: bringing a new, high-tech maritime industry to our state.  

Right now, the Initiative has 18 signed members including the City of Providence, the City of East Providence, Breeze Airways, RIPTA, Rhode Island Energy, and Skills for Rhode Island's Future. These aren't passive observers. They are the organizations that will make this industry real.

Rhode Island has a real chance to not just use this technology but to build it, export it, and shape the industry around it. The jobs, the manufacturing, the infrastructure, the workforce training — all of it can happen right here.  

This study paves the way for Seagliders to be designed and made in our state, to transport our residents, support our local businesses, and provide jobs to the graduates of our universities. With this investment, Rhode Island leads.