The San Francisco Bay Area can lay claim to one more green innovation- the nation’s first known hybrid ferryboat. On December 12th, Alcatraz Cruises, the National Park Service concessioner of ferry service to Alcatraz Island, introduced the Hornblower Hybrid, a wind, solar and diesel powered hybrid ferry.
The Hornblower Hybrid, a 64-foot long catamaran, uses power generated by two ten-foot-tall wind turbines and a photovoltaic solar array covering the awning on the top deck. That power is converted and stored in battery banks that then power the navigation tools, lighting and other electronics on board the vessel. Excess power is stored in the main propulsion battery banks. In addition to solar panels and wind turbines, the Hornblower Hybrid also has Tier 2 marine diesel engines.
Scott Thornton, Vice President of Operations and General Manager of Alcatraz Cruises, said, “with this vessel we hope to become a model of environmental innovation for the city of San Francisco, the state of California and the United States.”
