Circle Line (the company that runs the ferry service to the statue of liberty) has unveiled a state-of-the-art solar and wind powered hybrid electric ferry named Miss Statue of Liberty that they predict will join their Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island fleet and will bring a green revolution to waterborne transportation in New York Harbor.
The solar and wind powered hybrid vessel, uses a “solar sail” covered in solar panels to collect energy from both the sun and wind. The boat will emit almost no noise, vibration or fumes.
“This is the first vessel of its kind and represents the very latest in environmental and nautical technology,” said JB Meyer , President and CEO of Circle Line – Statue of Liberty Ferry, Inc. “Miss Statue of Liberty will quite simply revolutionize how we move on water. With its exceptional comfort for passengers, and the fact that it emits zero emissions while docking, it will change the nature of transportation in New York’s harbor forever.”
“It’s inspiring design, or as we call it ‘dock appeal,’ is sure to attract guests and visitors from across the world,” continued Meyer. I would be inclined to agree this boat looks sharp.
The solar vessel is being constructed in partnership with Australia’s Solar Sailor Holdings, Ltd. The vessel is like a hybrid car that you can “plug in” and so has the ability to recharge its batteries over night. Like the hybrid car when high speeds are required it uses fossil fuels in an efficient way.
It will not only reduce water pollution, but will reduce overall air emissions and give zero emissions at slow speeds and at the wharf.
“Unique features of this vessel design make her the ideal craft for water transit in New York City. When Ms. Statue of Liberty docks her shallow draft and vectored electric thrusts mean minimal disturbance to the silt at the bottom of the Hudson River. Because of her hybrid electric system she does not emit the noxious black smoke that is so common among other ferries in the harbor,” said Dr. Robert Dane, CEO of Solar Sailor.
The vessel will be able to achieve a maximum speed of 13 knots, roughly the same speed of many of Circle Line’s current ferries, and will be able to seat as many as 600 passengers.
I hope this ferry is a success. The travel industry needs radical new ideas to help with envioronmental issues. Ferries are already a greener way to travel than planes, let’s hope these small ferries point the way for larger vessels to be introduced.