b'FOGHORN FOCUSDan Yates at Portland Spirit worked with Andy Lebet and his team to lengthen an 80 vessel to 98 in order to seat larger wedding parties together on a single deck. The photo on the right shows the vessel after work was completed.One area of shipbuilding often in the headlines is propul- with a comparison to hybrid electric cars. Forty years ago, sion technology. There have been advances in this industrya hybrid vehicle like the Toyota Prius wasnt a viable option with offerings growing beyond traditional diesel engines.either, yet today it is. Over time, the cost for maritime hy-Operators may consider using alternative fuels in tradi- brid systems may also come down and be within reach for tional systems or possibly transitioning to hybrid electricmore operators. or all electric propulsion. Lebet noted that his firm has worked on ten hybrid vessels, but that only three of themIn addition to cost, space and weight must be taken into were new builds while the other seven were refurbishedaccount when looking at converting to hybrid or all elec-boats. Some of the vessels were utilizing lead acid batteriestric propulsion systems. Pudlo explained that these systems and were converted (or are in the process of being convert- universally require more space, which always plays a fac-ed) to lithium-ion batteries which werent as affordable ortor, but more so when starting with the constraints of an available 15 years ago.existing platform. The added weight will come into play in stability testing. Lebet noted that many vessels with more Cost is a driving factor when considering hybrid or all elec- margin in this area may fare better with a conversion. His tric systems. Pudlo noted that the enthusiasm in the pressteam often works with vessels such as dinner boats or ferries for electric and hybrid systems has by-and-large not beenwhich typically travel at slower speeds and are not too sen-PHOTO: DEJONG & LEBET, INC.matched by our client base so far, unless grant money is in- sitive to weight changes. For this type of vessel, the added volved. A point that was echoed by Lebet who has foundweight of lithium-ion batteries wouldnt have a significant thatwithoutagrant,operatorsarelesslikelytoadopteffect on the performance of the boat. Instead, for these hybrid or electric systems. He offered optimism thoughvessels the weight may factor more into the capacity. The FOGHORN 20'