A refurbished pontoon boat powered by an electric outboard engine has begun providing passenger transport and supply services at Hog Island Audubon Camp in Bremen, Maine.
Local non-profit National Audubon Society, through its Seabird Institute and Island Institute, recently launched the vessel with outboard manufacturer ePropulsion.
From April through October, the pontoon will make trips linking the mainland, Hog Island, and nearby coastal research operations. On busy days, it can make more than 25 return journeys between the island and the mainland. Island Institute said a single charge can power over 25 round trips.
According to the launch announcement, this is the first passenger boat in the National Audubon Society’s fleet to be fully electric.
The boat will be used to support conservation, ornithology and ecology programs at Hog Island Audubon Camp.
The vessel has been fitted with an ePropulsion X20 20kW outboard and natural cooling, according to ePropulsion’s specifications.
Replacing the boat’s petrol outboard is expected to make the area quieter for wildlife observation and research. The partners also anticipate spending less on fuel and maintenance.
“Hog Island gives us a chance to bring that same work into a new setting and show just how many ways this technology can support coastal operations,” said Lia Morris, Island Institute Senior Community Development Officer.
Island Institute said that since 2020, it has helped 23 vessels switch to electric propulsion, including boats used in fishing and aquaculture operations. Builders Vision, Maine Technology Institute, the State of Maine, and corporate sponsors provide funding for the institute’s electric boat initiative.
