Page 12: of Marine News Magazine (January 2022)

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Column

Electri? cation

Staying Grounded About

Electrification

By Sean Caughlan, PE, Senior Marine Engineer, Glosten

As a marine engineer focused on vessel design, I’ve watched the narrative on bat- excellent candidates for battery and hybrid-electric power tery-electric and battery-hybrid vessels evolve from skepti- due to their proximity to urban electrical grids, point-to- cism, to curiosity, to genuine acceptance in just a few short point operations and sensitivity to public perception. years. The passenger transportation sector, in particular, Since Glosten supported the conversion of the Gee’s has been quick to embrace the concept of vessel electri? - Bend Ferry, the ? rst battery-electric vehicle ferry in the cation as a means of improving economics and reducing U.S., we’ve seen a steady stream of inquiries from operators emissions. This makes sense as many ferry operations are who want to know if electri? cation is right for them. Usu-

The Gee’s Bend Ferry is the ? rst battery- electric vehicle ferry in the U.S.

Glosten 12 | MN January 2022