It sounds almost too good to be true: an eco-friendly ferry on San Francisco Bay, and it’s free? But don’t look at this gift horse’s molars too closely; it’s for real.
The world’s first hydrogen-powered commercial ferry for passenger traffic will start operating in the bay this week, as reported by AP News. With water vapor as its only byproduct, it aims to reduce diesel-fueled boats and reduce carbon emissions. And yes, the merchant vessel Sea Change, a 70-foot catamaran, will transport passengers for free for its first six months. After the pilot program ends, the ship could be added to the system’s fleet of paid ferries… but by then, presumably you’ll be so in love you’ll happily pony up for tickets.
The boat can carry up to 75 passengers and will run along a short route between Pier 41 and the downtown ferry terminal. (The city currently operates a weekend-only “short hop” route between those two terminals, which costs $1 for a 10-minute ride.) If all goes well, the fleet can expand—even throughout the world, according to Jim Wunderman, chair of the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority.
Sea Change can go for 300 nautical miles (that’s about 345 normal miles—nautical miles are longer because the earth curves) or 16 hours before it needs refueling. Science geeks, listen up, and everyone else, scroll your phone for the next minute: The ship’s fuel cells create electricity by combining oxygen and hydrogen in an electrochemical reaction that gives off water as a byproduct. Hydrogen’s not perfect and its creation (often with the aid of fossil fuels) can still cause the planet to warm, but some say that hydrogen-powered transportation is going to improve and become cleaner and less expensive.
The ferry is paid for and managed by investment firm SWITCH Maritime. It was built fairly locally, at the Bay Ship and Yacht in Alameda across the bay, and at All-American Marine in Bellingham, Washington.
Best of all? Ferry service starts on July 19. It’s nice to hear about cool things and then actually jump on board a few days later!