Gee’s Bend Ferry
After conversion at the Master Marine shipyard in Bayou la Batre, Ala., the historical Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Gee’s Bend ferryboat went back to solution in April as America’s initial zero-emission, electric-powered passenger/car ferryboat.
Operated by HMS Ferries in support of ALDOT, the 15-vehicle/132-passenger ferryboat operates on the Alabama River in between Camden as well as Boykin, Ala.
The conversion was moneyed with the assistance of a $1.09 million give from the united state Environmental Protection Agency, together with $765,350 matching bucks from ALDOT. It will certainly lead to reduced discharges, much less sound as well as minimized operating expense.
Seattle, Wash., marine design as well as aquatic design company Glosten supplied idea with agreement layout as well as shipyard technological assistance for the job, which was handled by HMS Ferries as well as HMS Consulting.
“This was a significant project in the marine industry,” commented Glosten aquatic designer Jeff Rider, PE. “The Gee’s Bend Ferry demonstrates how battery technology can be implemented as a means of propulsion, paving the way for further adoption of this technology.”
Marine Interface,Inc of East Northport, N.Y. incorporated the brand-new electrical propulsion system with assistance from American Traction Systems, Fort Myers, Fla., (power conversion) as well as Spear Power Systems, Grandview,Mo (batteries). Cochran Marine, Seattle, Wash., was accountable for shipboard as well as coast side billing terminals.
