10 SEPTEMBER 2018 • FOGHORN FOGHORNFOCUS: TECHNOLOGY PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE MARINE GEARBOXES WWW.KARLSENNER.COM (504)469-4000 AZIMUTH THRUSTERS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS advantage of opportunity charging to “top up” the batteries, and then fully charge overnight to be ready for the next day. Specifically, this ferry, which serves a 15-minute route, will be powered by four AC propulsion motors. Why all the interest in battery- powered vessels? Larry Machak, American Traction Systems, said that the success of the Alcatraz Hybrid has sparked excitement in the passenger vessel industry. “The fact that it works as designed and engineered and has not had any issues or incidents, while saving the operator money on energy, has encouraged other vessel operators to move toward electric and hybrid vessels,” Machak said. He also said that the cost of batteries is coming down due to better technol- ogy and more availability making the switch towards cleaner vessels easier. Battery Storage With the advent of electric vessels run by batteries, a battery storage system is only sensible for peak perfor- mance and reliability. After all, energy storage is a major green investment for The Gees Bend ferry, operated by HMS Ferries Alabama, is an all-electric ferry featuring a propulsion system from American Traction Systems.