Regulations and Government
Regent Submits Seaglider Approval Plan to U.S. Coast Guard
Sea trials with a prototype are underway in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay
Regent seaglider prototype
Regent is aiming to start deliveries of its Viceroy wing-in-ground-effect seaglider in early 2027 once it has completed an approval process with the U.S. Coast Guard. © Regent Craft

Regent Craft this week submitted the design basis agreement (DBA) for its Viceroy seaglider to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), which is handling the certification process for the electric-powered, wing-in-ground effect vessel. The Rhode Island-based company announced the milestone on March 20, two weeks after starting sea trials with a prototype.

Under maritime regulatory structures, the DBA establishes what the Viceroy must do to show an equivalent level of safety to other similarly-sized vessels. Regent is hopeful the Coast Guard will approve the agreement by around the middle of this year.

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