The first hydrogen-powered ferry in the United States, Sea Change, has cleared a major regulatory hurdle, marking a major step in the pioneering vessel's long and winding journey toward commercial operations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
SWITCH Maritime, the company behind the zero-emission ferry project, announced that it received a Certificate of Inspection (COI) from the U.S. Coast Guard on Friday, paving the way for the first vessel of its kind to officially enter service.
“This COI represents the culmination of years of close collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard and a milestone for the maritime industry, demonstrating the viability of carbon-neutral vessels. We are extremely grateful for the support of the U.S. Coast Guard and all of our partners on All the way to completion.” “This is not the finish line, just a starting point from which more can be built.”
Built by Bay Ship and Yacht in Alameda, California, and All American Marine in Bellingham, Washington, based on a design originating from Incat Crowther, the 70-foot aluminum catamaran was launched in 2021, but its entry into service has been delayed by a group Factors including the pandemic as well as challenges associated with obtaining US Coast Guard approval to use new propulsion technologies.
Sea Change features an integrated hydrogen power system from Zero Emission Industries, with 360 kilowatts of Cummins hydrogen fuel cells and 100 kWh of XALT lithium-ion batteries, powering 600 kilowatts of BAE Systems electric motor propulsion. The only emissions produced are water vapor and heat.
According to SWITCH, the clean-burning propulsion system enables transit distances of up to 300 nautical miles and speeds of up to 15 knots – similar operational capabilities and ranges to diesel-powered vessels – and eliminates the need for shore charging infrastructure required by battery-only vessels. .
With the COI tool now in hand, SWITCH Maritime said the 75-passenger Sea Change will begin commercial service in June, and will be operated by the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) in a six-month trial supported by sponsorship from both sectors. Public and private include: United; The Golden State Warriors; California Air Resources Board (CARB); Golden Gate Bridge, Highways and Transportation District; And the blue and gold fleet.
SWITCH said it plans to put the vessel on a more permanent ferry route after the initial demonstration period.
Captain Taylor Q. Lam, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco and Port Captain, presents a signed COI to SWITCH CEO Pace Ralli, paving the way for the Sea Change to officially enter service. (Photo: Switch Maritime)
The Sea Change project is funded in part by a $3 million grant from CARB, administered by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), which comes from the California Climate Investments Initiative, a California statewide program that creates billions of dollars in cap-and-trade. Dollars to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Additionally, the project received the first-ever loan guarantee under BAAQMD's Climate Technology Finance Program, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gases by accelerating emerging climate technologies, in partnership with the California Infrastructure Economic Development Bank and the Northern California Financial Development Corporation (NorCal FDC). . Through this loan guarantee, SWITCH obtained $5 million in commercial financing from KeyBank and later raised equity funds from Nexus Development Capital to complete the project.
Along with Sea Change, SWITCH is actively developing new designs for larger, faster ferries for San Francisco Bay and other major ferry markets in the United States and internationally. The company's website shows designs for carbon-neutral ferries with capacity for 150 and 350 passengers.
Source\ marinelink
