REGENT Wrapped: Our top highlights from 2024

What a year! 2024 was filled with incredible progress at REGENT, from building and testing the structures and systems of our full-scale Viceroy seaglider prototype to expanding the market for seagliders around the globe.  

Here are some of our key highlights. ‍

Began integration of full-scale Viceroy prototype

We started hardware and systems integration of our full-scale seaglider prototype in preparation of starting sea trials early next year. The full-scale prototype will be the world's first opportunity for a human to experience floating, foiling, and flying on a seaglider.

Expanded commercial order book and strategic partnerships  

We increased our commercial order book for the 12-passenger Viceroy seaglider this year and announced UME Shipping as our first delivery customer for the 50-100-passenger Monarch. We also gained strategic partners from government agencies, customers, and investors around the globe, from Rhode Island to Japan to the UAE.  

Advanced dual-use mission

This was a major year for our dual-use mission, from opening an office in Washington, D.C., to completing key milestones in our contract with the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab to exploring ways to increase that contract in the years ahead. One of the top moments was when the Secretary of the Navy and senior U.S. Defense Department officials visited our headquarters, where they saw progress on the prototype and discussed how seagliders could enable defense operations.

Created model for ecosystem development

After formally launching in January, the Hawai’i Seaglider Initiative (HSI) expanded from a dozen organizations to more than 30 members across government, community, and business groups. Drawing on extensive research and discussion, HSI found that seagliders would be feasible at most Hawai’i ports and that 78% residents support the introduction of an inter-island seaglider service. This work creates a blueprint for building out seaglider ecosystems in other markets.  

Made progress on seaglider certification

Not only did we receive U.S. Coast Guard approval for testing of our full-scale seaglider prototype, we also made progress on paving the way for Viceroy seaglider certification. We partnered with maritime classification society Lloyd’s Register to advance certification in both the U.S. and non-U.S. markets, and we submitted our preliminary Viceroy Design Basis Agreement to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Celebrated two years in Rhode Island

2024 marked two years in the Ocean State. We’re proud to manufacture seagliders in Rhode Island, creating hundreds of jobs over the next few years and helping make the state the global epicenter of the Blue Economy. We look forward to breaking ground on our new seaglider manufacturing center in the new year.  

Grew our world-class team

We also grew our team, bringing together the top talent from around the world and across industries, including maritime, automotive, aviation, and space to create a diverse, cross-functional team with the experience and skills to revolutionize transportation.  

The year ahead

“2024 was all about building — building the tech, building the team, building the market,” said Billy Thalheimer, REGENT co-founder and CEO. “2025: It's about going out there and doing it. It is massive. The entire history of the company comes down to what we do next year. It's sea trials; it's flight test; it's float, foil, fly of the world's first full-scale human-crewed seaglider. I cannot wait.”