Traversing the San Francisco Bay is a slice of Bellingham. More accurately, the first-of-its-kind hydrogen-powered ferry built here by All American Marine.
The Sea Change, a 70-foot, 75-passenger vessel, uses hydrogen fuel cells, making the vessel essentially emission free — some electricity used to produce the hydrogen fuel relies on natural gas, according to KQED.
All American Marine has been involved in the Sea Change project since 2019, about two years after researchers concluded a hydrogen-powered ferry was possible. The initial construction of the vessel’s hull and superstructure took place in Alameda, California, before it was shipped to All American Marine so the company could install fuel cells, hydrogen storage tanks and other equipment, and complete construction of the vessel.
While the fabrication of the boat was completed and it launched in the water in 2021, it took until this year for the vessel to start its passenger service.
That’s because of the work done between All American Marine and the U.S. Coast Guard to get the regulations and policies in place for the new vessel.
“We essentially had to write legislation with the Coast Guard,” said Bronson Lamb, All American Marine’s marketing manager, noting it was the most difficult part of the journey. “It’s one of those things that you don’t even think about. It took a couple of years to really work with [the Coast Guard] on how safe this technology is, the process of implementing it and streamlining it for future projects.”
To fund the groundbreaking project, SWITCH Maritime, which owns the ferry, used a combination of equity funding, loans and grants for an overall total cost of around $14 million, according to an interview with SWITCH Maritime CEO Pace Ralli in CleanTechnica, a clean technology industry publication.
After the vessel was built, a variety of sea tests and trials were held in Bellingham. Additionally, lawmakers and government officials would take tours of the vessel while it was docked in Bellingham.
In 2022, Gov. Jay Inslee toured the project, calling zero- to low-emission transportation projects a revolution to the Washington economy.
“There are those who doubt our ability to effectuate the clean energy revolution,” he said at the time. “Let those people come take a ride on (this vessel), let them see what is possible.”
Washington state has committed to building five new hybrid-electric ferries.
As the vessel uses hydrogen power, it emits water vapor, which is then re-mineralized and used as drinkable water on the ferry’s water fountain. And unlike a diesel ferry, where passengers might smell the exhaust, on the Sea Change, passengers will only smell steam.
The creation of the Sea Change means it is possible in the future for other passenger ferry systems across the country to use hydrogen power.
“We think hydrogen fuel cell technology will leapfrog electric and hybrid electric technology on the water,” Bronson said. “It is definitely going to become more viable, but it’s just going to take time and regulatory clearance. It will take a lot of money because these things, like anything new, are more expensive.”
And there may be opportunities for cargo ships and vehicle ferries to adopt the technology, Lamb said, noting there are different building materials and energy outputs to contend with.
For those visiting San Francisco, they can ride the Sea Change during its three-day-a-week run between Pier 41 near Fisherman’s Wharf and the Ferry Building. The ferry ride is free for the first six months during a pilot period, according to the AP.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
