FAMED Hampshire yacht designer Ken Freivokh is working on a ground-breaking vessel powered by environmentally friendly fuel cell technology.

The multi-award winning brain behind the 88-metre Maltese Falcon, the world's largest privately owned sailing yacht, is teaming up with Hampshire fuel cell specialists Voller Energy to design a 55-foot concept cruising vessel.

Prototype The prototype will use the Basingstoke firm's cell to completely replace the traditional diesel generator and power all instruments and air conditioning as well as the yacht when the sails are down.

Unlike diesel engines, fuel cells generate no pollution with water the only exhaust. They generate electricity, heat and water by mixing oxygen and hydrogen.

Mr Freivokh, who has been designing cutting edge yachts from a converted barn near Wickham for the past 20 years but has moved to new riverfront headquarters at Sarisbury Green's Universal Marina, said fuel cells represented the future for the industry.

"A future yacht in five years' time will be aimed at designing the whole yacht round a cell and accommodating a fuel cell will be standard issue in the marine design industry."

Despite being significantly quieter and lighter than traditional diesel power, fuel cells can still propel the ship for long periods, Voller Energy claims.

It also saves precious space on board when compared to a bulky generator, offering new design possibilities.

Potential Stephen Voller, chief executive of Voller Energy, said: "It is the potential reliability and ease of maintenance of the fuel cell which are its attributes to boating. During passages you can be a long way from a service yard and need to trust your chosen electrical supply."