Page 39: of Marine News Magazine (August 2024)

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Vessels

Sea Change

WETA

The ? rst-of-its-kind hydrogen-fueled Crowther, the 70-foot aluminum cata- Sea Change is part of California Cli- ferry Sea Change has commenced public maran was launched in 2021, but its mate Investments, a statewide initiative service, providing zero-emissions trans- entry into service has been delayed by that delivers cap-and-trade funds toward port for passengers in San Francisco Bay. a combination of factors, including the low-carbon transportation, community

The groundbreaking commercial pandemic as well as challenges associ- air protection and other initiatives. passenger vessel is the world’s ? rst pow- ated with gaining U.S. Coast Guard ered 100% by zero-emission hydrogen approval for the use of its novel pro- fuel cells. It was developed by owner pulsion technologies. A Certi? cate of

SWITCH Maritime with grant support Inspection (COI) issued by the Coast from the California Air Resources Board Guard earlier this year cleared way for (CARB) as a solution to reduce emissions the ferry to commence operations.

from the marine transportation system. Sea Change features an integrated hy-

A group of private and public sec- drogen power system from Zero Emis- tor partners came together to of? cially sion Industries, with 360kW of poly- launch the Sea Change on July 12, and mer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel the vessel started operations on July 19. cells from Cummins and 100 kWh of

The 75-passenger Sea Change is be- XALT lithium-ion batteries, powering ing operated initially by San Francisco 600kW of electric motor propulsion

Bay Ferry’s contract operator Blue & from BAE Systems. The only emissions

Gold Fleet on a route between Pier produced are water vapor and heat.

41 and the Downtown San Francisco According to SWITCH, the clean-

Ferry Terminal for a six-month trial burning propulsion system enables period intended to demonstrate the transit distances up to 300 nautical viability of the fuel cell technology. miles and speeds up to 15 knots—op-

The demonstration, which allows pas- erational capabilities and ranges similar sengers to ride for free, is sponsored to those of diesel-powered vessels. Its by a group of partners that includes services speed will be about 8-12 knots.

Chevron New Energies; the Golden “This is not just the start of service

Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transpor- for the Sea Change, but hopefully also tation District; and United Airlines. the start of much more active invest-

Built by Bay Ship and Yacht in Al- ment in the energy transition of the ameda, Calif. and All American Ma- maritime industry in California and rine in Bellingham, Wash., based on beyond,” said Pace Ralli, CEO of a design that originates from Incat SWITCH Maritime.