They intercepted a strange vessel thinking it was a narco-speedboat and it turned out to be a solar yacht going thousands of miles without refueling

Beachgoers enjoying the coastline near Cabo de Gata, in southeastern Spain, were left scratching their heads after spotting an unusual-looking vessel gliding close to shore. With its low profile, lack of a mast and barely audible motor, some feared it was a drug-smuggling boat – or even a submarine.

The mystery was quickly solved when Spain’s Civil Guard intercepted and inspected the craft. Rather than anything illicit, officers discovered it was the Helios 11, a yacht powered entirely by solar energy.

The solar-powered yacht built by one man

The vessel is captained by Finnish adventurer Lukas Sjöman, who also designed and built the project himself. Working largely alone in a shed at his home, he constructed the yacht from marine plywood and fiberglass to prove that long-distance sailing is possible without relying on fossil fuels.

The Helios 11 measures around 36 feet in length, has a beam of nearly 8 feet and weighs about 1.5 metric tons. Inside, it is simple but practical, with a compact electric kitchen, refrigerator and bathroom – enough for Sjöman to live aboard during extended voyages. Unlike luxury yachts, the design prioritizes energy efficiency over speed or comfort.

Its roof is completely covered with solar panels that generate electricity to power the electric propulsion system while continuously recharging the batteries during the journey. Thanks to that setup, the yacht can travel thousands of miles without ever needing to refuel.

More than 3,700 miles powered by the sun

To test his creation, Sjöman set off from Finland on a journey that has already covered more than 3,700 miles through rivers, canals and European coastlines before reaching the Mediterranean. After arriving in Ibiza, he continued along Spain’s coast, stopping in Mazarrón, Cabo de Gata and the city of Almería.

According to Sjöman, the Helios 11 consumes remarkably little electricity – roughly comparable to a small household appliance. In favorable weather, it can cover about 168 miles per day, although that range drops when cloud cover increases or sunlight becomes less intense.

The trip has not been without setbacks. While stopped on Spain’s Tarragona coast, his inflatable dinghy – essential for reaching land while the yacht is anchored offshore – was stolen. Unable to replace it immediately, Sjöman built a new one himself before continuing the voyage.

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