After nearly two years of trials in New Zealand waters, the hybrid electric Earthling departed Auckland in mid-2025, setting in motion a European campaign that has been gathering momentum ever since.
The vessel is the work of New Zealand engineer John McGettigan, who both designed and owns the Earthling E40. Since departing, the project has been documented through a series of YouTube updates that started appearing around six months ago, offering regular coverage of the boat's real-world performance, the obstacles encountered along the way, and the progress made across each leg of the journey.
The defining episode of the European phase so far has been a solo delivery passage from Genoa to Barcelona, covering approximately 1000 kilometres, undertaken single-handed by McGettigan. Getting to that point was far from straightforward. The relocation process involved delayed loading in Auckland, a difficult at-sea lift, and a tense unloading operation on arrival in Genoa. Once those hurdles were cleared, McGettigan set off into the Mediterranean with the Earthling E40 finding its feet quickly.
The boat settled into what has become its recognised efficiency range of 8 to 10 knots. The Mediterranean offered no gentle introduction, with conditions ranging from thunderstorms and persistently bleak weather to uncomfortable 2 metre swells in the waters near Monaco. Through all of it, the hybrid electric system performed as designed, characterised by quiet running, low vibration, and the efficient long-distance operation the platform was built to deliver.
For McGettigan, the significance of the passage went beyond the nautical miles covered. He describes the concept underpinning Earthling as "sailing without sails", and the Genoa to Barcelona run served as practical, real-world evidence that hybrid electric propulsion has moved well past the limitations of short-range or harbour-based use.
The response in Europe has been encouraging. Earthling has found a warm welcome within the continent's growing electric and hybrid boating community, with local networks and industry advocates providing support and opening doors. Invitations have since followed to speak at E-Boat Association forums, and the project has been drawn into show appearances and sea trials across Spain and France.
The E40 is conceived as a production platform for private owners, with a companion variant, the E40T, developed with commercial operators in mind. Two build slots for sisterships have already been earmarked for 2026, as Earthling's European campaign continues to unfold.
