16 JULY 2019 • FOGHORN FOGHORNFOCUS: ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES WORLD CLASS VESSEL DESIGN HIGH VALUE SHIPYARD SUPPORT TRUSTED OWNER AGENT BMT provided engineering and technical support for Golden Gate Ferries in the repower and refurbishments of the Spaulding-class ferries M.S. MARIN, M.S. SONOMA, and M.S. SAN FRANCISCO Contact us at 703-920-7070 or inquiries@dandp.com Who are you working with to make the switch? We are thrilled to be the first vessel owner in the U.S. to add all-electric vessels to our fleet. We chose ABB to support us in our journey towards a more sustainable operation based on their unparal- leled experience in marine system integration, as well as efficient and innovative technologies for sustainable transportation. Are you converting your current vessels? Or building new ones? The two newly-built Maid of the Mist passenger vessels will be entirely powered by high-capacity battery packs and driven by electric motors utilizing both permanent magnet and inductive magnetic technolo- gies – becoming the first all-electric vessels ever built in the U.S. The new Burger Boat-built vessels will benefit from ABB’s zero-emission technology when they start operating later this year, allowing guests to experience Niagara Falls undisturbed by engine noise, vibration or exhaust fumes from a conventional diesel engine. Vessel construction is ongoing and all steps in the process are running smoothly. Our existing vessels will be removed from active service as soon as the two electric vessels are delivered and launched. How will the vessel’s batteries be charged? Will you tap into Niagara Fall’s hy- droelectric plant to power the vessel’s batteries? Power for the vessels will come from a pair of battery packs with a total capacity of 316 kWh per vessel, split evenly between two catamaran hulls. Having two fully independent power systems on board will increase the resilience of opera- Christopher Glynn describes Maid of the Mist’s all-electric ferries to New York State Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul.