Governors Island Launches its First Hybrid-Electric Public Ferry

About two years following initial announcements by Mayor Eric Adams and the Trust for Governors Island of the planned hybrid-electric ferry, the boat dubbed the Harbor Charger made its maiden voyage in New York City’s waterfront on August 12th. The $33 million vessel is now taking passengers to and from Governors Island, its equipped “hybrid propulsion system” will “cut carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 600 tons annually,” offering a “cleaner, greener mode of transportation to the island for the nearly one million individuals” that visit each year according to reported statements by Clare Newman, president and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. A further reduction of emissions by an additional 800 tons each year will be possible once shoreside rapid charging infrastructure, which is currently in the design phase, is in place, enabling the ferry to operate fully on electric power — have secured “$47.5 million in federal infrastructure funding in December 2023 from the U.S. Federal Transit Administration to develop the shoreside infrastructure.” Selection of the name of the vessel built by Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, Louisiana, was from a citywide competition that attracted more than 800 submissions. Up to 1,200 passengers and 30 vehicles for deliveries and services can be carried on the multi-level ferry, and modern amenities include a lower-level ADA-accessible lounge and restrooms on each deck. The launching of Harbor Charger reinforces the island’s roll as a hub for climate innovation, complementing the planned $700 million, 400,000-square-foot New York Climate Exchange state-of-the-art research campus designed by architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

Source:    https://www.6sqft.com/new-yorks-first-hybrid-electric-ferry-sails-to-governors-island/