b'FOGHORNFOCUS: MARINE PROPULSIONMaid of the Mist calls these cata-maran-style boats game changers forSkagit County Guemes Island Ferry. our visitors, the environment and theRendering: Glostenindustry. According to the operator, the new vessels:Are among the first all-electric passenger vessels in North America;Utilize lithium-ion battery power that recharges to 80% each trip;Produce zero emissions;Operate nearly silently with little to no vibration;Have complete redundancy in pro-pulsion and battery power, with in-dependent systems located in each hull;Are made from 5086 H116 marine- Utilize forward bow thrusters toIn the Pacific Northwest, the grade, a superior marine-environ- further enhance the steering ca- Guemes Island Ferrys newest vessel ment, corrosion-resistant aluminumpabilities, allowing the vessel tois closer to becoming a reality. alloy; maneuver sideways and dock withSkagit County has operated a Wont have diesel or combustion- ease; and vehicle and passenger ferry service based backup propulsion systems;Are designed to reduce bothbetween Anacortes and Guemes unlike most other electric vessels,heeling and wave-induced motion,Island, WA since the early 1960s. these will not be hybrid vessels; compared to a single-hull vessel. PVA Vessel member Mount Vernonm WA-based Skagit County Public Works - Guemes Island Ferrys current INNOVATIVE.vessel, the M/V Guemes, is a 21-vehicle, 99-passenger, diesel-powered ferry that was built and put into service in UNIQUE.ALL AMERICAN MARINE 1979. Today, the ferry operates 365 days a year and transports roughly 200,000 vehicles and 400,000 passen-PROVEN. gers annually.In 2013, Skagit County began the process of studying vessel replace-ment when they hired PVA Associate member Elliott Bay Design Group, Seattle, WA, to publish a Ferry Replacement Plan for current ferry. The study looked at the existing cost of operation then formulated replace-ment scenarios to determine the most economic replacement option. The conclusion was that immediate or near-term replacement of the vessel would minimize the overall cost of ownership and provide environmen-tal improvements in vessel operation.Skagit County determined a need to replace its diesel-powered ALLAMERICANMARINE.com vehicle and passenger ferry. If con-Bellingham, WA | 360.647.7602 structed, an all-electric vessel would Sales@allamericanmarine.com potentially reduce operational and maintenance costs, increase energy Pictured: Orca I - The first of two 78 Passenger Tour Vessels for Great Western Attractions independence and reduce harmful 8OCTOBER 2020FOGHORN'