Trust for Governors Island takes delivery of hybrid ferry
New York City-based non-profit the Trust for Governors Island (TGI) recently welcomed a new hybrid diesel-electric Ro-Pax ferry to its fleet of vessels.
TGI said the US$33 million Harbor Charger is the first hybrid-electric public ferry in New York State and has the ability to travel at speeds up to 66 per cent faster than current ferries.
The battery-equipped Harbor Charger, which will replace TGI's 1956-built diesel-powered ferry Lt. Samuel S. Coursen, will be used to transport both residents and tourists to and from Governors Island in Manhattan. Charging infrastructure has also been put up at various points to support the ferry's daily operations.
Harbor Charger was designed by the Elliott Bay Design Group of Seattle and built by Conrad Shipyard in Louisiana. The ferry can transport up to 1,200 passengers plus 30 vehicles at cruising speed of between 10 and 12 knots.
The vessel's hybrid propulsion arrangement was provided by Siemens Energy.
