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Canal
Hybrid Ferryboat
Canal Boats, Inc., a division of Water Taxi out of Fort Lauderdale,
Florida has launched its new bio-diesel / electric hybrid ferry
named "Clay Shaw". The hybrid ferry was sold to Broward
County Florida Mass Transit Department.
Broward County has 300-miles of canals making it a perfect
fit for the Clay Shaw and seven more hybrid ferries to come.
The hybrid ferries are powered by a 100KW John Deere bio-diesel
Genset 6068 TFM that uses an 80/20 mix of diesel fuel and vegetable
oil. Baldor drive motors (240v), in conjunction with Danfoss
variable frequency drives deliver the thrust and are themselves
powered by a bank of forty 6V DeKa lead-acid batteries. The
battery chargers were made by Zivan.
Marine Engine Controls manufactured the throttle and directional
controls for the ferryboat and the top has anodized aluminum
frames and Lexan Thermo-Clear overhead panels. The 10-ton
programmable air-conditioning system was manufactured by
Rich Beer's and the fendering was supplied by and Castor.
The Clay Shaw is a USCG certified small passenger ferry
using environmentally friendly hybrid and bio-diesel technology.
Mrs. Emilie Shaw, wife of U.S. Congressman Clay Shaw, Representative,
Fort Lauderdale did the honor of launching the boat before
a crowd of 150 people.
A Coast Guard Certified 42-foot Water Bus, manufactured
by Canal Boats, having the capacity of 72-passengers has
also been demonstrated on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga,
TN. For 10-days the water bus provided free rides originating
at the Ross’s Landing Chattanooga Pier, next to the
Tennessee Aquarium.
Hybrid motors for the boating and marine industry are just
starting to take hold as another company eCycle,
which has rolled out a hybrid gasoline-electric motorcycle,
is also in development of several hybrid outboard motors
for recreational use. It will be interesting to see now
that the hybrid market is getting hot, if other marine manufacturers
will quickly follow suit.
From cruise ships, to ferryboats, to luxury yachts, marine propulsion is trending towards an electric hybrid model to help generate a lower carbon footprint. Even bio-diesel fuel is being tested for recreational use. Many buyers at boat shows looking at vessels meant for longer cruising, like trawler yachts for sale, are interested in hybrid propulsion and solar panels.
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