Knowing so little does not help my optimism here.
The same way that ICE ignition systems have transported marine engine situations,,,,,
I feel these engines "perhaps" need to become "solid state" also.
Whilst ever moving parts remain open they will fail. Protection will never work due to the ability of moisture to find
any way in,
The size of a water molecule gap is big enough! We are talking small!
To avoid confusion, "perhaps" all aspects will require encapsulation as our marine environment is such a test,
that
"Marinisational Encapsulation" --- (ME)---will be the moment eVTOL and eHOVER takes off.
I presume their present systems ARE already designed for outdoor use, but as we understand---
the marine environment is well harsh----
We suffer simple corrosion, (water and metal)
then theres erosion, electrolytic corrosion, moisture+ differing metals - (different positions on the electro chemical series), then added problems with differing electrical potentials ie add a battery and sprinkle lightly with sea salt, just to get the energy potentials popping!
I reckon the developers will already be jumping straight to the holy grail of ME - see above.
In ascending order--------
1 A hovercraft to operate in dry conditions
2 Then operate well,
3 Then operate reliably and well in marine situations,
4 Then all of the above and economically,
5 Then all of the above without an ICE --- eHOVER
My feeling is that lift fan noise attenuation to still well within our grasp and within my daily reducing time line!