Page 37: of Marine News Magazine (November 2025)

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Great Boats 2025

Harbor Charger ture, lasting 40 to 60 years or more. At

EBDG we work closely with our clients and their teams to ensure the vessel is ? t for purpose and engineered to match a long life,” said John W. Waterhouse,

Principal in Charge at EBDG. “The best clients are those that truly collaborate, so the resulting vessel shows the best of designer and client. Working with the

Trust for Governors Island has been a real pleasure. We believe the vessel will be a reliable component in delivering the

Governors Island experience to visitors.”

The Harbor Charger, pictured at Conrad Shipyard as it prepares for its

Equipped with Siemens Energy’s highly anticipated sea trials.

BlueDrive Eco diesel-electric propul-

Image courtesy Siemens Energy sion system, BlueVault battery storage, and EcoMAIN real-time monitoring technology, Harbor

Charger is engineered to operate in three distinct modes: zero-emission battery-only power, battery-assisted hybrid, and diesel backup to help ensure reliable service with a reduction in air pollution.

In its current con? guration, the ferry is expected to cut nearly 600 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

Once shore-side rapid charging facilities are completed, the vessel will reach fully electric operations and eliminate an additional 800 tons annually.

EBDG served as an integrated member of the entire proj- ect team, providing support from initial concept through ? - nal construction. In addition to vessel design, the ? rm sup- ported grant development under the Passenger Ferry Grant

Program by de? ning shoreside charging infrastructure for the new hybrid-electric ferry. EBDG coordinated directly with Siemens Energy ensuring seamless integration of the diesel-electric battery hybrid propulsion system into the vessel’s design. The team also worked closely with the Trust to integrate owner requirements and design feedback, while overseeing engineering contributions from other partners.

Throughout construction, EBDG delivered technical oversight and supported Siemens’ system integration, en- suring the project remained aligned and delivered to the highest standard. By embedding deeply at every stage,

EBDG ensured the HARBOR CHARGER was not only innovative in design but also practical, reliable, and ready for decades of service. www.marinelink.com MN 37|