(San Francisco / USA) – A hydrogen-powered passenger ferry is commencing commercial service in San Francisco Bay, California. The 21-meter-long catamaran, named "MV Sea Change," will transport passengers between Pier 41 in the harbor and the Downtown ferry terminal, located about 20 minutes away, starting July 19. The highlight: For the first six months of this trial period, rides on the 75-passenger vessel will be free of charge.
Fuel cells with 300 kilowatts
The electric motors can propel the vessel at speeds of up to 20 knots, giving it a range of 300 nautical miles (555 kilometers) ( as previously reported ). The PEM fuel cells deliver 360 kilowatts. They are supplied by 240 kilograms of gaseous hydrogen stored in tanks (250 bar) on deck.
Construction began in Alameda at Bay Ship and Yacht with the fabrication of the hull and superstructure. The vessel was then trailered to All American Marine Inc. in Bellingham, Washington, where fuel cells and hydrogen tanks were installed. © Switch Marine
The fuel is produced using solar power, it was announced in December 2021. At that time, the first direct mobile refueling by a truck took place under the supervision of the US Coast Guard (USCG). The "Sea Change" was financed by Switch Maritime LLC. The US investment company, founded in 2017, wants to initiate an entire fleet of emission-free ships in North America that can be taken over by ship owners and operators. The "Sea Change" is the first in a series of ferries that Switch wants to build in cooperation with municipalities and shipowners.
Direct mobile refueling by truck took place in November 2021 for test runs under the supervision of the US Coast Guard (USCG). © Switch Marine
The commuter ferry is operated by the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority. More than half a dozen international companies were involved in its development. Construction began in Alameda, California, at Bay Ship and Yacht with the manufacture of the hull and superstructure. The ship was then moved to All American Marine Inc. (AAM) in Bellingham, Washington, where the fuel cells, hydrogen tanks and other equipment were installed and construction of the ship was completed.
The catamaran, designed by Incat Crowther, is equipped with a hydrogen system from ZEI. The fuel cells come from the US engine manufacturer Cummins Inc., the hydrogen tanks from Hexagon Purus and the 600 kilowatt electric drive from BAE Systems. The lithium-ion battery storage with a capacity of 100 kilowatt hours was provided by XALT. Construction management was the responsibility of the Hornblower Group.
Switch Maritime received the Certificate of Inspection (COI) for the hydrogen ferry "Sea Change" from Captain Taylor Q. Lam, Commander of the US Coast Guard in San Francisco, in June this year. The ceremony took place at the bow of the ship in the presence of members of the US Coast Guard and other project participants. © Switch Maritime
“If we successfully operate this vessel, there will be more of them in our fleet,” the Associated Press quoted Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority Chairman Jim Wunderman as saying. “The real value of this project comes when you multiply it by the number of ferries operating worldwide,” Frank Wolak, President and CEO of the Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association, told a press conference, according to the article. He added that there is “great potential, as this could reduce carbon emissions from ports.”
Photo above
The hydrogen-powered passenger ferry will now commute in the Bay of San Francisco – initially free of charge for the next six months. © Switch Maritime
