Harbour pleasure boat fitted with hybrid propulsion

The 40-year-old Angelena II becomes what is believed to be the first harbour craft in the world to be retrofitted with a dualelectric motor, ultra-low emission hybrid propulsion system.

After reaching 300 operating hours (anticipated later this year), the engines will no longer meet California emissions requirements. By switching from biodiesel to an ultra-low emission serial hybrid propulsion system, it is estimated the boat will cut fuel usage by 95%. The retrofit is scheduled to take place between September and December this year.

Under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the $489,000 hi-tech conversion will be fully reimbursed through a US Department of Energy’s energy efficiency and conservation block grant. “The marine industry has been begging for the technology that would allow a hybrid breakthrough for boating,” commented Jack McCoy, CEO of EnergyTech Marine Group.

“The EnergyTech Marine lithium-ionpowered plug-in hybrid electric vessel system actually leapfrogs future automotive plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The reduction of energy consumption and emissions far exceeds any of the hybrid technologies currently offered for autos.”

Built in 1970, the Angelena II is a 73ft harbor motor craft currently powered by two 350-horsepower diesel engines. .