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nance as the battery pack and other components are fully computerized, maintenance-free units, providing further advantages to the owner. Building better, faster, more efÞ cient vessels is not new. It has been happening since the Þ rst vessels were launched thousands of years ago by our ancestors. The application of diesel electric motors to vessels is not new either; itÕs been widespread for more than 20 years. Adding a lithi- um battery IS new, and while it is still early days for the use of battery hybrids in commercial marine, the trend is certainly growing. Where else can you Þ nd an innovation that reduces costs, increases safety and reliability and also reduces emissions to zero? PROPULSIONGrant Brown is a Vancouver-based freelance writer. Grant can be reached by email at [email protected] of Corvus Energy View from the helm of Viking Lady at work in the North Sea www.marinelink.com MN 27MN Dec14 Layout 18-31.indd 27MN Dec14 Layout 18-31.indd 2711/25/2014 10:22:18 AM11/25/2014 10:22:18 AM