VESSEL REVIEW | Electric tour boats enter service on India’s Peruvannamuzhi Dam

Indian tour company Green Holidays recently inaugurated a new fleet of solar-powered catamaran boats slated for operation on the Peruvannamuzhi Dam in Chakkittapara, Kerala state.

The 10- and 20-passenger catamarans were built by local technology startup NavAlt Solar and Electric Boats. With each boat having a beam of just 3.2 metres to allow for road-transportability, the vessels are optimised for sailings on a stretch of reservoir waters spanning just over 13 kilometres along the Kuttiyady River.

The boats are fitted with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) energy storage systems connected to 6kW electric motors. A catamaran hull was selected as it offers less resistance to the water, thereby optimising the power management and guaranteeing efficient performance. The electric propulsion, coupled with an electric steering unit developed by Navgathi, ensures a high degree of manoeuvrability and control.

The use of electric propulsion aims to help preserve the marine ecosystem of the Kuttiyady River as well as nearby wildlife parks and rehabilitation areas, as such propulsion generates none of the noise, vibration, or pollution of conventional engines. Also, LFP batteries were selected due to their long expected service life and minimal maintenance requirements.

The incorporation of solar panels helps reduce reliance on charging to allow the boats to substitute for diesel- or petrol-powered vessels, which are prohibited on the Kuttiyady and have projected high operating costs of around US$20,000 annually per boat.

The two boats were inaugurated into service in late February 2022 just as the Peruvannamuzhi Dam’s famed eco-tourism area was formally re-opened following an extensive two-year improvement and beautification program. For each boat, an excursion on the Kuttiyady will last around four hours. Because there are no noise, fumes, or vibrations, guests will be able to fully experience sightseeing in the reservoir without being distracted.

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