Alcatraz ferry to use solar and wind power

It’s rare when an old prison and a LEED-certified hybrid boat share a headline, but this is one of those occasions. 1.4 million people make the voyage across the bay to Alcatraz every year and the company that gets them there wants to decrease the fuel it uses.

To accomplish that, Alcatraz Cruises has added the Hornblower Hybrid to their ferry fleet. The new boat is outfitted with two wind turbines and a solar array that power its navigation tools, lighting and part of its propulsion system.

The renewable energy generated is stored in batteries that provide the power when the boat is idling or in low propulsion. Otherwise, the boat runs on Tier 2 marine diesel engines. Beyond it’s fuel efficiency, the boat meets LEED requirements for recycled content. Even the carpet and countertops are made from recycled vodka bottles.

The hybrid can carry 160 passengers to the popular tourist destination and the company plans to add another to their fleet to take on more of that 1.4 million.

via Inhabitat