New Vessel for Governors Island Will Be First Public Hybrid Ferry of its Kind in New York Harbor, Reducing Emissions by 600 Tons per Year and Ultimately Nearly Eliminating Them
Citywide Naming Competition Launches Online Today
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Trust for Governors Island President and CEO Clare Newman today introduced New York City’s first public, hybrid-electric ferry. The first vessel of its kind to provide public transportation within New York Harbor, the new ferry will be equipped with a hybrid propulsion system that will reduce air pollution by allowing it to toggle between zero-emission battery-only power and battery-assisted hybrid with diesel backup. The battery-assist mode will allow the new ferry to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 600 tons annually. Future plans for rapid vessel charging installation will enable the ferry to operate with zero-emission battery-only propulsion, at which point emissions will drop to nearly zero.
Ahead of the ferry’s launch, Mayor Adams and the Trust launched a citywide competition to name the new vessel. All New Yorkers are invited to participate by suggesting names on the Governors Island website from today until May 25, 2023, with the final name expected to be announced in summer of 2023. The new ferry will begin transporting passengers to Governors Island in summer of 2024.
“Visiting Governors Island is a great way to support cutting-edge climate solutions, and soon, visitors will be able to go one step further just by traveling there,” said Mayor Adams. “As New Yorkers transition to greener forms of transportation, the city and our partners are leading the way with cleaner, more efficient ways to go just about anywhere. The next generation deserves a green city and a vibrant Governors Island, and this first-of-its-kind ferry will help us deliver both.”
“Governors Island continues its commitment to a more accessible and environmentally friendly future, exemplified in today’s announcement of the first hybrid-electric ferry in its fleet for public transportation,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “I encourage all New Yorkers to use this new, cleaner ferry to visit the island in New York Harbor beginning next summer.”
“This hybrid ferry marks a historic step forward in expanding access to Governors Island while promoting state-of-the-art and sustainable technology to power our ferry fleet,” said Trust for Governors Island President and CEO Newman. “Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors board our vessels and journey to Governors Island to experience our rich recreational, cultural, and educational resources. We are thrilled to make the journey easier for our visitors while helping to lead the charge in electrifying the vessels of New York Harbor.”
External rendering of the new, hybrid Governors Island Ferry. Credit: Elliott Bay Design Group
The new ferry will have capacity to serve up to 1,200 passengers at a time. It has a cruising speed of 10 knots and features modern passenger amenities, including a lower-level ADA-accessible lounge and restrooms on each level.
It will replace the diesel-powered Lt. Samuel S. Coursen, the Trust’s current vehicle and passenger ferry, which was commissioned by the U.S. Army in 1956 and has been in continuous use since.
Elliott Bay Design Group designed the hybrid-electric ferry and will provide technical support services to the Trust as the ferry progresses through construction. The ferry is under construction at Conrad Shipyard’s facility in Morgan City, Louisiana.
“All aboard for healthier air and a reduction in the emissions that are causing climate change,” said Chief Climate Officer and New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “In order to slow the changes in our climate that we are already seeing, such as record-breaking and deadly storms, we must have all hands on deck, and we applaud today’s announcement from Mayor Adams and the Trust for Governors Island.”
“I can’t wait to ride my city’s first public, hybrid-electric ferry, which will offer a scenic ride to Governors Island’s future Center for Climate Solutions, as we enjoy cleaner air and our city’s greatest physical asset: its water,” said Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Executive Director Kizzy Charles-Guzman. “This is a shining example of New York City leading by example.”
“Ferries are a vital part of transportation infrastructure, lasting 40 to 60 years or more. At Elliott Bay Design Group we work closely with our clients and their teams to ensure the vessel is fit for purpose and engineered to match a long life,” said John W. Waterhouse, principal in charge, Elliott Bay Design Group. “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.”
“We are excited to build and deliver this ferry to the people of New York City,” said Johnny Conrad, chairman and CEO, Conrad Shipyard. “Since Governors Island is accessible only by ferry, we are proud that the Trust for Governors Island has selected us to play such a vital role in its growth and progress. This ferry will be the first-ever hybrid vehicle and passenger ferry in New York Harbor. Conrad is proud to be at the forefront of alternate energy solutions in the marine industry.”
No comments:
Post a Comment