A unique combination of old and new has been brought together at Mylor Yacht Harbour after a hybrid engine was retrofitted to classic yacht Armorel.

Armorel’s new engine uses battery power to drive and manoeuvre the boat out of port, after which the diesel engine takes over or she can continue under sail.

In theory this means that the yacht can be taken out for a day’s sail without the crew ever having to start her engine.

The conversion work was made possible by Mylor’s partnership with HYMAR (Hybrid Marine) as part of a three year research project with £2.3 million of European funding.

Nathan Percival, Mylor Marine Team’s engineering manager, said: “It was a fantastic job to be involved in.

“This was absolutely cutting-edge work, and it is really great to be at the forefront of this technological advance from the beginning.”

The project has been awarded the Royal Thames Yacht Club Mansura Trophy Award for Innovation and Technology, regarded as one of the most prestigious international maritime awards.

Named after the first yacht to use a hybrid powered engine, the Mansura Trophy identifies and rewards excellence in the design and development of hybrid marine craft.

Ken Wittamore, HYMAR project manager, paid tribute to the quality of the work carried out by Mylor Yacht Harbour.

He said: “Mylor were excellent. They were head and shoulders above the rest in terms of their enthusiasm, range of skills and willingness to be flexible and responsive.

We certainly met some challenges during the work, but the results speak for themselves.”