Battery chargers supplied to US ferries

Newmar’s chargers have three independent charger modules which enable them to continue providing power if one of the modules malfunctions.

“The modular design of the 24-volt PTMS charger provides a significant improvement in system reliability,” said Newmar’s national sales manager, Brian Giannini. “The charger has three independent charger modules, outputting a total of 67 amps and providing built-in redundancy for uninterrupted service. If one module fails, the other two will continue to provide a charge to the batteries.”

Mr Giannini added that maintenance and repair work can be carried out by removing a module from the front panel of a charger and replacing it with a new module without disconnecting, removing, repairing or reconnecting the entire charger.

The charger, which adds to the market for the growing number of battery-powered vessels, is also designed to be handled by crew without special technical training, meaning problems can be addressed straight away.

The 85-foot aluminium catamaran vessels were designed by Incat Crowther and are being built at Gulf Coast shipyards Horizon Shipbuilding and Metal Shark, for Citywide Ferry by Hornblower, which will operate the ferry network for New York City.

The first of the vessels has been delivered and the first three routes are being inaugurated in June.

The full network will be operational in 2018 and is expected to carry 4.6m passengers a year from 21 landing sites.