PROJECTS

Sea Change Zero Emissions Hydrogen Passenger Ferry

OUR PROJECTS

Sea Change Zero Emissions Hydrogen Passenger Ferry

Hornblower is committed to the reduction in emissions and the environmental impact in the Maritime Industry. As part of this commitment Hornblower is proud to participate in unique projects like Sea Change.

Sea Change was the world’s first hydrogen powered zero emission passenger vessel, now operating in service of San Francisco California.

Hornblower’s participation in this project brought expertise in construction management, system design, system integration and regulatory approval for complex special projects like Sea Change, in partnership with Switch Maritime, Incat Crowther, Zero Emission Industries and All America Marine.

Project Overview

Sea Change is a 70-foot, 75 passenger catamaran ferry with a hydrogen fuel cell system, hydrogen storage system, lithium-ion battery storage system, and electric motors for propulsion.

The vessel construction represented significant technical challenges with design and regulatory approvals as it was a first in class and no such standards or guidelines specific to the maritime section were developed for hydrogen powered vessels at that time.

The vessel has Hydrogen Storage tanks mounted on the top deck that supply the Fuel Cells producing power for the entire vessel.

Notable Features

  •    Passenger Capacity: 75 passengers
  •    Fuel Cells: 3 x 120Kw Fuel Cells
  •    Motors: 2 x 300Kw Electrical Motors
  •    Hydrogen: 240kg, Gaseous Hydrogen
  •    Batteries: 100kWh

Operational Impact

Sea Change leads a new path to the impact of maritime vessels and their broader impact to the environment. This vessel also proved that the maritime industry has the potential to be a leader in the future of cleaner transportation.

An electric/hydrogen vessel does not just help in the reduction of the environmental impact but also reduces the noise and vibration which are typical with diesel fueled engines. This brings comfort to the passenger experience and the communities they serve. As a result of the chemical reaction that occurs on the fuel cells the only output of this vessel is clean drinking water.

Conclusion

Hornblower Marine’s Sea Change project exemplifies innovative progress in the maritime industry. As the world’s first hydrogen-powered zero-emission passenger vessel, Sea Change successfully navigated complex design and regulatory approval processes, demonstrating Hornblower’s commitment to environmental sustainability. This project not only proves the viability of hydrogen-powered vessels but also underscores the maritime sector’s potential to lead the way toward a cleaner future in transportation.
 
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