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TOP BOATS 2021 access for people with disabilities. The bow utilizes a stan- impact. This isn’t just about a ferry. This is about a via- dard bow radius for use in many U.S. cities, and an elevated ble future for the maritime industry. It’s about not only wheelhouse affords excellent visibility over bow loading op- the potential for cargo ships, it’s also about an increased erations. Sea Change can reach a top speed of 20.5 knots. awareness in public transport, daily work commutes and

AAM’s Wille said he believes hydrogen fuel cell tech- ultimately, the passenger experience. This technology will nology will leapfrog traditional diesel and hybrid-electric directly affect future passenger ferries and water taxis, and propulsion methods as the most bene? cial for maritime your commute to work in the future by providing a quieter applications. “There are a number of reasons why we see and sustainable commute.” this pivot, but the main reason is basically it’s both trans- This project has received municipal support including a portable and has very high energy density. Hydrogen has $3 million grant from the California Air Resources Board more power and weighs signi? cantly less than other forms (CARB), administered by the Bay Area Air Quality Man- of energy. Li-on batteries are roughly 50 times as heavy as agement District (BAAQMD), that comes from California diesel fuel. This makes it very dif? cult to go either far (or Climate Investments, a California statewide initiative that fast) in a boat running on batteries. puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work to reduce “On a pound for pound basis, hydrogen has nearly greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen the economy, and three times the energy of diesel fuel and can also be used improve public health and the environment – particularly more ef? ciently in fuel cells than diesel in internal com- in disadvantaged communities. Additionally, the project bustion engines. received the ? rst ever loan guarantee under BAAQMD’s “Simply put, hydrogen can be compressed into a much Climate Tech Finance program, which seeks to reduce smaller space and weighs far less than both its battery or greenhouse gases by accelerating emerging climate tech- diesel equivalent. Therefore, in the same amount of space nologies. In partnership with the California Infrastructure taken up by a battery bank or diesel tank, you can have Economic Development Bank and the Northern Califor- much more hydrogen and travel much further. nia Financial Development Corporation (NorCal FDC), “It’s also modular and scalable, with a number of fuel the Climate Tech Finance team led a technology quali? ca- cells generating energy, if one happens to go of? ine, it can tion and greenhouse gas analysis that deemed SWITCH easily be swapped while the others continue to do the work. eligible for a loan guarantee. This loan guarantee supported

It doesn’t result in the need for an entire engine replace- SWITCH in securing a $5 million construction and term ment. It’s much simpler and all made up of components loan with KeyBank, which enables SWITCH to bring the and systems that have been used before and are proven in project to completion.

the transportation sector.”

Wille noted that passenger vessels are “an ideal starting point” for the maritime industry’s adoption of zero-emis- sions technologies. “The short routes, consistent schedules, relatively low energy requirements made ferries an ideal candidate,” he said. “[Sea Change] provides a unique quiet passenger experience, no diesel engine noise or fumes.

“It’s a beautifully built, modern looking passenger ferry to go alongside it being the ? rst of its kind in the world fully run on hydrogen fuel cell technology. Com- plete with reusable bottle ? lling stations, top of the line seating, bike racks, and a state-of-the-art pilot house, the hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system is really what stands out. And the fact that this system is modular and scalable, is really exciting.”

But Wille believes Sea Change and its groundbreaking zero-emissions power systems are just the tip of the ice- berg. “This vessel is the ? rst step towards decarbonizing the maritime industry. This technology will have a global www.marinelink.com MN 51|