The Sea Change represents an enormous milestone toward efforts to decarbonize the maritime industry. It will operate as a part of the San Francisco Bay Ferry network for a six-month demonstration period designed to showcase the application of fuel cell technology as a viable strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.
The vessel emits only water vapor, a portion of which is remineralized and used in the onboard water fountain, making it the only vessel in the world with drinkable emissions.
The vessel is owned by SWITCH Maritime, and was developed by the company with support from a grant provided by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The demonstration service is made possible thanks to sponsorships from a group of partners including Chevron New Energies; the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District; and United Airlines. The service will be operated by San Francisco Bay Ferry’s contract operator, Blue & Gold Fleet.
“California is a global leader in the fight against the climate crisis, pioneering new technologies to ramp up clean energy and cut pollution — that’s why the zero-emission Sea Change is so exciting,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom.
“The Sea Change is a real-world, practical example of how the government and private sector can work together to help demonstrate the commercial viability and increase consumer confidence in hydrogen,” said Austin Knight, vice president, Hydrogen, Chevron New Energies.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, transportation is the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States. Advances in hydrogen fuel cell technology and other lower carbon or net neutral technologies come at an important time as 2024 is projected to be one of the hottest years on record.
The Sea Change is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
The Sea Change was developed in California and built by All American Marine in Bellingham, Washington.
“We’re very proud that this state-of-the-art vessel was built in Washington, and we are thrilled that it will be put into operation in the San Francisco Bay Area,” said Washington Governor Jay Inslee.
“Providing access to this world-first technology for the thousands of future Sea Change passengers is a key step toward protecting the environment,” said Jim Wunderman, Chair of the San Francisco Bay Ferry Board of Directors.
“The California Air Resources Board is excited to witness the clean transportation future in action with the launch of the MV Sea Change and is proud to be part of the partnership that made this vessel a reality. Thanks to cap-and-trade dollars at work through our California Climate Investments, innovative and sustainable transportation options like the Sea Change are being developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health, particularly in California’s most vulnerable communities,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph.
MV Sea Change is a 70-foot, 75-passenger catamaran ferry featuring an integrated hydrogen power system from Zero Emission Industries (ZEI) with 360kW of PEM fuel cells,100kWh of Li-Ion battery storage, and 600kW of electric motor propulsion, providing a top speed of 15 knots and service speed of 8-12 knots.
