Plymouth Citybus jump on board the Mayflower Autonomous Ship Project
TOP Plymouth firm Plymouth Citybus have jumped on board the Mayflower Autonomous Ship Crowdfunder and pledged a five figure sum to help the project get from blueprint to boatyard.
The firm, which employs 500 people in the city, snapped up a sponsorship reward which will see their name be one of the first big city firms to be on the side of the ship when it makes its historic launch in 2020.
“The Mayflower Autonomous Ship will be a space-age technological wonder, capable of sailing itself from Plymouth UK to Plymouth, USA as flagship of the Mayflower 400 commemorations,” said Richard Stevens, MD of Plymouth Citybus and Chair of Devon Chamber.
“Plymouth Citybus is wholly embedded in the Mayflower 400 celebrations and are all about the community and this is about the world community. We are all about journeys and this is the ultimate journey.
“I love the sea and I love sailing but this project is all about the community, I want the young people of Plymouth to be Pilgrims in 2020 and enjoy the chance to virtually take this journey on this ship.
“The world is changing and if we want to be part of it then we have to take advantage of this and put Plymouth on the global stage.
“I can’t pump prime a space ship to Mars but this is of the same level and it’s like shooting for the stars with Plymouth as the launchpad. For me this is just a journey to the future, it’s not just about reaching America, it’s about millions of people reaching America through one unmanned ship.
“It’s about being at the forefront of innovation - and I hope it encourages other firms to come on board too.”
The pledge from Plymouth Citybus will be finalised and appear on the Crowdfunding page in the next few days.
Paddy Dowsett, Mayflower Autonomous Ship Project Manager, said: “MSubs are delighted that Citybus have come onboard a major sponsor of the Mayflower Autonomous Vessel. It is a great to have the support of another west country success story who share our vision of making Plymouth a hub for forward-thinking businesses'.
Everyone can have a chance to get their name on this ship. There are rewards which offer individual names on the ship for £20, two names and a significant date for £35 and the name of your family on for £50. There are also a range of rewards to suit all business and personal tastes.
For more information please visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/mayflower-autonomous-ship
