Rendering of a hybrid water taxi. Credit: EBDG “Recently, EBDG has developed the design for an innovative 60-ft hybrid/electric water taxi that meets many

FOGHORN FOCUS FOGHORN operational needs. This

vessel design takes into The hybrid water taxi is designed for short runs at low using batteries with the ability to have a supplemental system for longer runs at high speeds. consideration a number Credit: EBDG of factors: climate change, new technology, and of course the laws of physics.”

change, new technology, and of course the laws of physics. The design can be scaled up or down Making the Case for in capacity as needed for a particular route, with various options for accommodating bicycles, low HYBRID WATER TAXIS bridges, and passenger loading arrangements. The hybrid/electric water taxi can be outfi tted with any propulsion system suitable for the BY CATHERINE HALE AND JOHN WATERHOUSE // ELLIOTT BAY DESIGN GROUP route requirements and that achieves the owner’s environmental objectives. Available propulsion options are on a continuum from all-electric to n waterfront cities across the United States, people are thinking In addition to the study, EBDG has also looked at numerous fuel cells to hybrid-electric to conventional diesel, about how to improve transit and connect districts. Over the past existing and planned operations for water taxis. We have observed the with the above discussed variables driving to the Ithree decades, what were formerly industrial areas, with factories, following: best route specifi c solution. shipping docks, and warehouses have been rebuilt into housing retail and offi ce spaces. When these areas were primarily industrial, good • Every route/locale is diff erent; there is no “one size fi ts all.” For shorter runs at relatively low speeds, lithium- transportation connections were less important but now the new ion batteries can be installed as the sole source residents rightly want connectivity. Water taxis are one mode of • Traffi c demand, frequency of service, and purpose all of energy storage. The batteries drive electric transportation that can be a useful component in improving transit. infl uence the size and speed of the vessels. propulsion motors and are suitable for rapid recharging at docks with a boost from a housetop Cities with water taxis include Charleston SC, Ft. Lauderdale FL, • Thoroughly understanding the docks and piers is critical for solar array. MD, and Washington DC. Other locales are looking at safe operations serving a range of passenger mobilities, and also the concept, including Sarasota FL (fi nal_report.pdf (fl oridajobs. important for infrastructure improvements required for battery All electric with shore charging is a fantastic org), Lake Sakakawea (fi nal_report.pdf (fortbertholdplan.org), and charging facilities. propulsion option for those who have longer San Francisco (Executive Summary 08312009 (sfport.com). Elliott passenger loading times, and multiple stops in Bay Design Group (EBDG) was part of a consultant team in 2017 • Seasonality of service and peak time of day for demand will dense areas. This allows the water taxi to partially supporting Boston Now on a Comprehensive Boston Harbor infl uence the choice of transit options by riders. recharge during regular stops while the passengers Water Transportation Study and Business Plans. This study affi rmed are loading or disembarking the . Having a the business case for expanding ferry service around Boston’s inner • Minimizing operating costs is essential for fi nancial viability. longer loading time allows the vessel to charge up harbor. for its next sleek environmentally friendly trip. • Connections to other transportation modes is critical since few In looking at the vessels, the Executive Summary (Executive Summary customers “just want to ride the ferry.” For longer runs at higher speed, or where there Flat Layout_Inner Harbor (bostonharbornow.org) stated: is no infrastructure to support rapid charging, To date, we have worked on a wide range of water taxi projects, from the design can use a hybrid system, where diesel “In the long term, new hybrid/electric vessels specially built for this a vessel with a single crew member carrying 30 passengers on routes generator sets, supplemented by batteries, can Maintenance route’s short trips, speed restrictions, and projected ridership are of less than one mile, to a vessel capable of making 22 knots while provide a higher power output while still allowing Simplified! recommended. New vessels would require capital investment up- carrying 40 passengers and two crew. all-electric operation at slow speeds or while at front, but there would be long-term operating cost savings with the dock. As battery technologies improve, the substantially lower fuel costs and improved fl exibility from having a Recently, EBDG has developed the design for an innovative 60-ft hybrid system can also fl ex to use the greater fl eet of identical .” hybrid/electric water taxi that meets many operational needs. This energy storage capacity and further reduce the vessel design takes into consideration a number of factors: climate use of hydrocarbon fuels. Improvements in fuel 17 cell technology have also ushered in an era of zero- 978-562-5211 emission possibilities. WheelHouseTech.com

FOGHORN FOCUS: ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 18 FOGHORN JULY 2021 19 FOGHORN FOCUS: ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Design features include a sleek, modern aluminum monohull with It must be said that before selecting a particular vessel or design, an a design speed of six knots at 60 horsepower and 10 knots at 350 operator needs to analyze the route to provide guidance on which horsepower. Good seakeeping, low wake wash, and shallow draft are propulsion system would work best. This analysis involves studying features that have been incorporated into the design. With a capacity each route to consider service model (terminal sequencing and route for 99 passengers and 16 bicycles, the vessel is ADA compliant with organization), ridership, and block time (time between round trip wheelchair seating that has been thoughtfully incorporated into the departures from the home terminal). Variances in demands for , design. Everyone will have a great seat while enjoying their ride, especially round trip travel time, and number of ferries on the route should be

FOGHORN FOCUS FOGHORN on the top sun deck with a transparent acrylic shade for maximum identifi ed. The service schedule should account for U.S. Coast Guard viewing capabilities and protection from the sun. There is also plenty work hour limits and crew changes. of space for all the passenger’s accessories thanks to the open bow with space for strollers and luggage. Water taxis are a vibrant, growing sector of the passenger vessel industry. The Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) has worked with industry and There are a few features that can be modifi ed to fi t a specifi c route our regulator, the U.S. Coast Guard, to ensure such vessels are safe profi le. These include adding an interior snack bar, and an option to add yet aff ordable. As new technologies, such as hybrid propulsion, are a wet bar on the upper deck. EBDG can also reconfi gure the layout for introduced, we will continue to work together to create regulations that excursions. To fi t more passengers for excursions the bike racks are easily are appropriate for the vessel size and to reduce risk of such operations removable to allow more space for passenger use. The vessel can also be to the general public. As a member of PVA’s Regulatory Committee, confi gured for sideloading in lieu of, or in addition to, bow loading. EBDG will do our part in helping operators fi nd the right vessels for their needs. About the Authors:

JOHN WATERHOUSE CATHERINE HALE

John Waterhouse holds engineering and naval Catherine Hale is a systems engineer at EBDG and a architecture degrees from the University of certifi ed executive. She is qualifi ed to manage port California, Berkeley, and the Massachusetts Institute initiatives and aid in development of port master plans. of Technology. He has been with EBDG for more Hale received a Master of Science degree in maritime than 30 years and is Chief Concept Engineer in its systems environmental engineering from Stevens fl agship offi ce in . He is a frequent speaker at Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science PVA events. degree in environmental biology science with a minor in sustainability from Simmons College.

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