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Circle Line Wants to Go Solar
By
Dave Hogarty
Published May 27, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
Dave Hogarty
Published May 27, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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Municipal maritime mainstay Circle Line wants to update its fleet with the addition of a state-of-the-art solar-powered ship that will use both wind and the sun to power it between Manhattan and Liberty Island. The 115-foot trimaran will be a watergoing hybrid vehicle that holds 600 passengers and use a combination of solar, wind, and diesel power to achieve speeds up to 14 knots. Its manufacturer is an Australian company called Solar Sailor, and there's already a similar ship that ferries people around Sydney's harbor. The New York Post has a more detailed graphic that points out all the cool features the proposed solar boat will contain. Some of them are:
- Seven electric min-propellers to stabilize the boat while it's docking or maneuvering in close quarters.
- A 50 foot-by 23-foot sail made of plastic and fiberglass that captures both the sun and the wind and is computer controlled.
- Three large hulls that stabilize the boat, minimizing the craft's wake and resultant shore erosion.
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