Project Name: Engine Conversion Boat Project (TP008)

Location: Lower Danube region, Ukraine

Please contact us for more information about contributing to this project, quoting its reference number 'TP008' in all correspondence.

Project Status Table for TICOS Project TP008
Date verified by TICOS:	1 February 2008
Estimated project cost:	15,212 GBP
Project timescale:	Estimate of 5 years. Phase 1 is complete and phase 2 is underway.
Funding partners:	The tour operators Skibeat. A second operator, On the Piste, has also pledged support. Funding opportunities are still available for this project.
Additional sustainable development benefits:	Reduced oil pollution of the Danube and imporved water quality. Less disturbance of wildlife and better enjoyment for visitors by greatly reduced (or nil) noise levels. More reliable transportation.
Latest news:	TICOS has received verification of the purchase and operation of 3 new four-stroke boat engines for this project from the Ghent branch of the Flemish Birdlife Society who visited and used these boats in May/June 2009 (see images below). The engines were purchased from offset donations by Skibeat. The group testified to the engines being much quieter and emitting fewer fumes than the old two-stroke engines they had used there before. Skibeat funds have also been used to put down a deposit for an electric boat motor which is the final part of this project. Additional funds raised will be used to assist in the buying of endangered marshland in Normandy.

The lower Danube region is recognised as a place of global ecological importance: truly 'Europe's subtropical zone'. It holds the largest complex of wetlands, riverine forests and steppes in Central Europe. There are over 1,000 species of flowers and more than 200 birds including pelicans, herons and eagles.

The first stage of this project, now complete, involved the purchase of three new Yamaha 12 hp four-stroke engines, funded by Skibeat as part of the TICOS offset programme. These have lower fuel consumption, are quieter and do not release oil into the water. The second stage, which is in progress, is to purchase one additional 12hp electric-powered motor from the USA and 6 x 12v deep-discharge batteries from within the Ukraine. The petrol-engines will take visitors from Vilkovo to the buffer zone of the Danube biosphere reserve, whilst the quiet and non-polluting electric motors are used within the reserve.

The images below show boats fitted with the new engines and tourists discovering the joys of the Danube on the new quieter boats. This project clearly demonstrates the advantages that offset programmes can bring to both the natural environment and the visitor experience.

New 4 stroke engines $-stroke engines in action