All American Marine (AAM) recently delivered a new state-of-the-art 108′ x 32.5′ parallel hybrid passenger vessel to fellow PVA member Harbor Breeze Cruises. Following the successful completion of sea trials, El Escudo will enter deployment in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif.
Purpose-built to serve harbor tours, whale watch cruises, and special event dining experiences throughout the L.A./Long Beach area, the vessel represents an advancement in low-emissions passenger vessel design. El Escudo exceeds U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tier 4 and California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions standards through optimized hull efficiency, full integration of advanced exhaust aftertreatment systems, and a design centered around a parallel hybrid propulsion architecture, enabling zero-emissions operation during low-speed harbor operations.
El Escudo employs an integrated propulsion system combining selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and diesel particulate filters (DPF) with a parallel hybrid battery propulsion system supplied by ABB. The system features twin 300kW electric traction motors and a 588kW BorgWarner energy storage system (ESS) for zero-emissions operation during harbor tours and port operations.
This project serves as a demonstration of the latest commercially available marine technologies and exceeds the most rigorous emissions standards currently in force in North America. Funding support is provided through CARB’s Advanced Technology Demonstration and Pilot Projects grant for the Los Angeles Marine Emission Reduction (LA MER) Project, administered by the Port of Los Angeles (City of Los Angeles Harbor Department). The vessel establishes a benchmark as a first-of-its-kind, multi-purpose monohull operating as a U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter K passenger vessel, certified for limited coastwise service and outfitted with advanced data collection and monitoring capabilities. Its customized design provides Harbor Breeze Cruises with operational flexibility while integrating advanced technology throughout the vessel.
The 350-passenger El Escudo features multiple passenger decks and a custom stadium-style seating platform on the bow, with enhancements throughout for comfort, visibility, and the overall guest experience. All American Marine previously built and delivered two vessels for Harbor Breeze Cruises, Triumphant and La Espada.
The vessel is powered by twin MAN D2862 diesel engines supplied by Northern Lights, driving fixed-pitch propellers through a remotely mounted Reintjes gearbox provided by Karl Senner, LLC. El Escudo has four distinct operational modes: conventional diesel propulsion, fully electric zero-emissions propulsion, underway battery charging, and stationary shoreside battery charging. This propulsion package allows the vessel to achieve substantial emissions reductions while maintaining performance and efficiency for longer routes.