Regent's Electric Seaglider Certified as Boat by US Coast
Regent's Viceroy Seaglider, a 12-passenger electric wing-in-ground-effect craft, has been certified as a boat by the US Coast Guard following a new 2024
Regent Craft's Viceroy Seaglider, a 12-passenger electric wing-in-ground-effect vehicle, is regulated as a boat by the U.S. Coast Guard. This classification follows a 2024 congressional law that clarified the regulatory roles of the Coast Guard and the FAA for such hybrid craft.
Regent describes its Seaglider vessels as "high-speed, hydrofoiling wing-in-ground effect craft that combine the speed of an aircraft with the convenience of a boat." The company states the vessel operates in three modes: floating on its hull, transitioning to hydrofoils, and then flying within one wingspan of the water's surface.
First Crewed Flight Milestone
On September 2, 2026, Regent reported its Viceroy prototype successfully completed its first human-crewed flight. The company called it the "largest-ever all-electric wing-in-ground effect craft to fly with people on board." The flight occurred at Regent's headquarters on Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island.
The prototype, with a crew of two captains, flew 1,956 feet at a height of 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds. Regent co-founder and CEO Billy Thalheimer stated, we’re now moving quickly toward production to deliver Seagliders to coastlines around the world.
Commercial and Military Specifications
Regent markets the Viceroy as a dual-use craft, serving as a high-speed ferry and a military transport. The launch customer for the commercial version is luxury travel operator The Twenty Five, which has an order for up to 60 Viceroys.
| Model | Payload Capacity | Passenger/Crew Capacity | Top Speed | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squire (autonomous) | 50 lbs (22 kg) | N/A | Not specified | Not specified |
| Viceroy | 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg) | 12 passengers, 2 crew | 156 knots | 156 nautical miles |
For military use, Regent is developing Seaglider systems for missions including contested logistics, medical evacuation, and intelligence. The company has a $15 million contract with the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab and an agreement with U.S. Special Operations Command.
Regulatory Classification as a Boat
The International Maritime Organization and International Civil Aviation Organization define three classes of wing-in-ground craft. The Seaglider is a Type A craft, which operates only within the ground-effect envelope and is physically prevented from climbing beyond it.
This classification places the Seaglider primarily under U.S. Coast Guard regulation, not the FAA. The 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act directed the two agencies to define their roles, specifying that operators of qualifying WIG craft are not to be regulated as air carriers simply because they fly over water.
Regent says Seaglider vessels are captained by certified mariners and regulated in the U.S. By the U.S. Coast Guard. This maritime regulation allows them to avoid airport-style check-in delays.
Military Application in Contested Logistics
The U.S. Military's focus on logistics in the Asia Pacific has increased interest in such vehicles. Regent claims its military Seagliders are faster than uncrewed surface vessels and can perform missions of both surface vessels and drones, with a top speed of 160 knots.
The company says one advantage is its low radar signature due to its flight altitude. Regent's animations show the craft's potential usefulness in defending the First Island Chain in the Pacific. The craft's ability to operate in waves up to five feet is also highlighted for military utility.
