59 MARCH 2026 N ichols Brothers Boat Build- ers held a keel-laying cere- mony for the first of two 400-passenger battery-electric ferries under construction for San Francisco Bay Ferry. The 142ʹ Subchapter K aluminum catamarans are being constructed under the agency’s Rapid Electric Emission Free (REEF) Ferry Program, which aims to transition the fleet to zero-emission propulsion technology. The ferries will operate at 25 knots on central Bay routes, connecting Oak- land and Alameda with San Francisco. The series’ first vessel is scheduled to be delivered in 2028. The vessels will each feature four in- dependent azimuthing Hydromaster Series E propulsion units with 625- kW drives and a modular, scalable 1,603-kWh Echandia energy storage system. Charging infrastructure will include MCS charging at a total of 5 MW, a DC grid, and DC conversion technology. The vessels will recharge through custom-designed electric charging floats, which also serve as boarding pathways during passenger loading and unloading. Incat Crowther is leading vessel de- sign and Wärtsilä North America is serving as the electrical propulsion system integrator. In December, another shipbuilder, All American Marine, Bellingham, Wash., held a keel-laying ceremony for the first of up to four 150-passenger all-electric passenger vessels it is con- structing for San Francisco Bay Ferry. MEMBER NEWS San Francisco Bay Ferry Keel Ceremony Held at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders Find Your Solution at Imtra.com or Call 508-995-7000 Bringing you the best. Bringing the best to passenger vessel owners and operators Best in class products, expert advice and unparalleled customer support THRUSTER SOLUTIONS WIPER SYSTEMS & COMPONENTS COMPREHENSIVE MARINE LIGHTING MARINE INSULATION SEATING SOLUTIONS POWER MANAGEMENT DOORS, HATCHES & WINDOWS SOLAR SHADES & MUCH MORE
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