Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Sea Cheetah Corporation is completing construction of a technology demonstrator for the hydrogen-electric wing-in-ground-effect (WIGE) vessel that it is developing for multiple roles including passenger and cargo operations. The Miami-based start-up said it aims to get the vessel approved under International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements in time for first deliveries to be made in the final quarter of 2026.
According to Sea Cheetah, the 17-metric-ton (37,400-pound) vessel will have a maximum payload of 2.5 metric tons, which would allow for up to 20 passenger seats on services connecting coastal communities. Its projected range is around 435 nm, with a cruise speed of 135 knots.
Serge Markoff, Sea Cheetah’s founder and CEO, explained to AIN that the vessel will mainly operate up to around 10 feet above the surface of the water. As required, it will be able to operate briefly outside of WIGE mode to fly above obstacles such as ships.&nbsp;
Markoff said a hydrogen electric propulsion system will deliver much greater range and payload compared with other battery-electric WIGE vessels and seaplanes now in development. Another U.S. company, Regent Craft, is working on its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-10-01/regent-reveals-progress-full-sale-seaglider-prototype">all-electric Viceroy model</a> that it said will be able to carry 12 passengers up to around 157 nm at 160 knots.
On September 30, Sea Cheetah announced a partnership with French company H3 Dynamics to work on how its vessels could be refueled efficiently. The main focus of the collaboration is to develop what the companies called H2Hub modules that would store hydrogen fuel in convenient locations in water.
<h2>Offshore Hydrogen Refuelling</h2>
In some cases, the modules might also accommodate jetties where passengers could embark and disembark. These might be used in locations where the 85-foot-long Sea Cheetah would be too large to use an existing dock.
One of the priorities for the company’s engineering team is to ensure that the Sea Cheetah can quickly take off into WIGE mode in no more than 20 seconds. The intent is to minimize any discomfort for those on board as the craft lifts from the surface of the water.
“Over the past 18 months we’ve had a lot of pushback [from potential operators] about where they would get hydrogen, and we decided that it is best to generate hydrogen on-site, so we will take a vertically integrated approach,” Markoff told AIN.
Toulouse-based H3 Dynamics has been involved in Airbus’ ongoing efforts to develop hydrogen-powered aircraft, providing its fuel cell technology. Sea Cheetah has not yet confirmed the exact configuration for its vessel’s powertrain, or who it will partner with for this part of the project. It has sourced, but not disclosed, a supplier of electric motors that are already being used on experimental aircraft.
<img alt="Sea Cheetah wing-in-ground-effect vessel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d539d677-c461-4136-8246-3f7b96b05bec" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Seacheetah%20-%20H2Hub%20-%20Press%20Release%20Image%20-%20%284%29-%28Copyright%20Footer%204x%29.jpg" width="3156" height="1889" loading="lazy">
The Sea Cheetah is expected to operate with fly-by-wire controls. Markoff said the company is investigating options with Garmin for avionics technology.
Markoff launched Sea Cheetah Corp in 2022 and has been working on the program in stealth mode until now. He said his team includes individuals with extensive experience of previous WIGE developments, and also experts from fields such as high-tech racing yachts and carbon fiber manufacturing.
So far, Markoff and some undisclosed private backers have funded work on the Sea Cheetah. He expects to launch a Series A funding round in the first half of 2025.
Beyond the technology demonstrator it will reveal in the coming weeks, the Sea Cheetah team expects to have a prototype ready for testing in 2025. It is already engaging with the IMO on the certification process required to start building and delivering production examples of the WIGE vessel.
<h2>Transportation, Fishing and Freight Applications</h2>
Markoff said the company already has a letter of intent signed with an undisclosed prospective operator. This potential customer is not located in either the U.S. or Europe.
As well as possible short-haul regional trips carrying 20 passengers in a “premium economy” configuration, Sea Cheetah envisages more luxurious versions of the vessel that might be built for small private groups with perhaps four seats. Plans also call for leisure models for water sports and fishing enthusiasts, and also cargo applications that might include rapidly moving fresh fish to shore.
The company’s plans include starting a school to train WIGE captains. Markoff indicated that in some instances, operations might involve a second pilot or operator based onshore.

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