A harbour patrol boat rarely operates at only one speed, so a single propulsion approach may not suit every task. Novi Marine has built a Gemini WR650 Hybrid Patrol RIB for Antwerp city harbour with two Torqeedo Cruise 6.0 electric motors and a Yamaha F150 outboard.
The combination gives staff an option for quieter, locally emission-free routine movements while retaining conventional power for more demanding jobs. This is a specific 6.5-metre workboat application, not a universal performance forecast.
Electric power for low-speed work
The manufacturer states that the boat can operate for at least four hours at 8km/h on electric propulsion under its described conditions. That figure concerns the installed demonstrator and should not be applied to unrelated boats.
Twin 48V Cruise motors handle this low-speed role, with the Yamaha available when more power is required. Switching and control arrangements need proper operator training.
Different demands on one hull
Patrol work can involve frequent short trips, low-speed observation and occasional urgent travel. Hybrid propulsion is intended to provide suitable modes without treating every journey as the same mission.
Battery capacity, weight and installed controls still shape the result. An owner considering a similar system needs a builder-led design rather than a simple component purchase.
Lessons for leisure craft
The project illustrates a real under-12-metre vessel using electric and petrol propulsion together. Its relevance is the duty-cycle thinking rather than a claim of guaranteed range for a private RIB.
LBG uses Torqeedo's official story and image of the named Antwerp boat. Its performance depends on the patrol setup.