CLEARWATER, FL–(Marketwire – August 9, 2010) – Le Boat, part of TUI Marine, the marine division of the Specialist & Activity Sector of TUI Travel Plc, introduces the new Le Boat 1500 Series — a luxury fleet of eco-friendly self-drive motor leisure cruisers exclusive to Le Boat and built by world-renowned yacht builders, Groupe Bénéteau.

The Le Boat 1500 Series will change the way boating vacations are perceived and enjoyed forever. The three models (8+, 6+, 4+) boast a range of technical features and creature comforts that will revolutionize the vacation boating industry, enabling customers to enjoy luxurious, green boating vacations on Europe’s beautiful inland waterways.

NEW HYBRID TECHNOLOGY = GREENER BOATING
The Le Boat 1500 Series allows customers to cruise via a conventional diesel engine or electric power with zero noise, pollution and fuel consumption — helping to preserve the waterways for the enjoyment of future generations.

Each boat has six solar panels to generate green energy that is stored in the boat’s industry-leading battery bank (produced by Valence Technology) making cruising possible even on cloudy days. Electric energy will also be provided via the boat’s generator and shore power connectivity.

The superior diesel engine is built by Volkswagen Marine using the latest marine technology and has very low CO2 emissions.

The low-wave making hull is specially designed to minimize bank erosion and large holding tanks store all grey and black water.

A range of other technology enhancements and guest benefits currently being developed — low-wattage LED lighting and minimal flush toilet systems.

NEW JOYSTICK STEERING
The new Le Boat 1500 Series will without doubt be the easiest boat on the waterways to maneuver thanks to its revolutionary joystick technology and steerable POD drive system, which eliminates the need for a rudder. Le Boat is the first company to install these features into an inland waterways commercial hire fleet. The joystick will be in addition to two conventional interior and exterior steering wheel positions.

The steerable POD drive system, which is connected to the boat’s bow thruster, will give customers greater cruising control while the joystick enables the boat to rotate 360 degrees and dock sideways alongside the canal bank. These unique features will revolutionize and simplify mooring and docking procedures, improving the way cruising vacations are enjoyed.

NEW LUXURIOUS INTERIOR
With all models built on the same 14.97m x 4.65m hull, the new Le Boat 1500 Series is the most luxurious and spacious boat in the Le Boat fleet and designed to provide a home-away-from-home environment. All cabins have flat screen TV, air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms, plus flexible twin/double layouts with additional space for children via fold-down beds. All beds are standard-sized with upgraded mattresses for maximum comfort.

A spacious arc-shaped saloon will comfortably accommodate all passengers and provide access to the foredeck. A convertible settee sleeps one extra person, if required. The open galley with large fridge-freezer plus ice compartment and regular-size oven creates a perfect environment for on-board socializing. There will be standing headroom throughout and large windows on all sides to increase the feeling of light and space while providing panoramic views. The huge top deck (flybridge) has plenty of comfortable seating, a large bimini (sun canopy), gas BBQ, bar fridge and outer shower/sink.

The new Le Boat 1500 Series will be available as a range of models in France, Germany and Italy in 2011. The first 50 boats will join the Le Boat fleet at the start of the 2011 season, with more set to join the fleet in the coming years as Le Boat builds a greener and cleaner fleet for the future.

Commenting on the new boats, Lex Raas, TUI Marine CEO, says: “It’s a privilege to be involved in the creation of a totally new concept for the inland waterways boating industry. I believe the new Le Boat 1500 Series will not only become the most sought after model for our customers, but will also set the standards for environmentally-conscious cruising for the future. Waterways authorities and tourism companies connected with the waterways have to work in partnership to protect and preserve them for the enjoyment of future generations and I will personally ensure that Le Boat continues to push the boundaries.”

Models:

Le Boat 15-02: 2 luxurious equal-sized en-suite cabins each with fold-down child’s bed and comfortable seating (4+3)

Le Boat 15-03A 3 equal-sized cabins, each with optional fold-down child’s bed and en-suite bathrooms (6+4)

Le Boat 15-03B: 1 master cabin with optional fold down child’s bed and 2 smaller cabins – all en-suite (6+2)

Le Boat 15-04: 4 equal-sized cabins and 4 en-suite bathrooms (8+1)

Key partners:

• Groupe Bénéteau, France
  World-renowned boat builders, charged with the construction of the new Le Boat 1500 fleet

• Seaway, Slovenia
  Award-winning boat design and development company, specializing in hybrid technology

• Volkswagen Marine, Germany
  Specialists in the creation, design and development of superior marine engines

• ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Germany
  Specialists in innovative pod drive propulsion systems

• Valence Technology, US
  Specialists in energy storage solutions; suppliers of Le Boat’s iron magnesium phosphate battery bank

Editor’s Notes:

Le Boat is the largest operator of self-drive boating vacations on Europe’s waterways, operating its own fleet of 1000+ self-drive cruisers from a network of over 40 departure bases across eight European countries. Le Boat brings together over 40 years of expertise from Crown Blue Line and Connoisseur in Europe and Emerald Star in Ireland. Visit www.leboat.com for more information.

TUI Travel PLC is a leading international leisure travel group which operates in approximately 180 countries worldwide and serves more than 30 million customers in over 25 source markets. The Marine division operates some of the world’s leading marine recreation and yachting brands including The Moorings, Sunsail and Le Boat. Visit www.tuitravelplc.com for more information.

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