The story of our effort dates to late 1998 and early
1999 when we began the rather costly process of
adding a hybrid power source to this 100
passenger Coast Guard certified vessel. A power
source that previously was only used to propel
small craft -- up to 15 passengers or so -- through
the water. That power is pure, clean, and electric.
Not the 12 volt type in the average car but a
complex system of batteries and components that
not only supply propulsion, but also, the 120 volts,
AC current needed for what's called Ship's
Systems -- a term meaning anything that operates
on the same electric current as most residential
homes.
1999 when we began the rather costly process of
adding a hybrid power source to this 100
passenger Coast Guard certified vessel. A power
source that previously was only used to propel
small craft -- up to 15 passengers or so -- through
the water. That power is pure, clean, and electric.
Not the 12 volt type in the average car but a
complex system of batteries and components that
not only supply propulsion, but also, the 120 volts,
AC current needed for what's called Ship's
Systems -- a term meaning anything that operates
on the same electric current as most residential
homes.
| The Beginning Of the Electric Riverboat Angela Louise |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| SPECIAL THANKS TO: TROJAN BATTERY COMPANY AND TRACE ENGINEERING FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT |
After nearly one year of construction, modification, final approval by the United States Coast Guard and tens of
thousands of dollars later, the goal of propelling our vessel through this harbor by clean electric power finally became a
reality.
"Why?" is a question I hear a lot. Why add an environmentally friendly power source to a vessel that runs well on diesel?
Most folks tend to think that there'll be some form of savings in reduced fuel costs, maintenance or a combination of
those two. Actually, we would have been miles and dollars ahead had we not added the electric system.
But, it wasn't about money. It was about not contributing to the harbor's fairly dismal condition by adding more toxins; it
was about achieving near-absolute silence from the machinery while wedding vows were exchanged; it was about
getting along with our neighbors -- the people who have spent in many cases millions of dollars on water-side homes; it
was to make certain that while dining, diesel fumes didn't overtake the fragrance of a finely prepared meal. It was just
about social responsibility, really, and the chance to do something completely unique.
Quickly, I want to add that, although government wasn't interested in sponsoring or even acknowledging this
demonstration project, the leadership at Trojan Battery were, supplying us with all of the batteries used on board. For
that matter, so were the people at Trace Engineering: they make the power inverter system used aboard that converts
DC voltage to AC. They were nice enough to sponsor that sophisticated system.
We weren't alone in the vision to make the Riverboat electric -- Because we and the US Coast Guard are concerned
about passenger safety, the plans had to be reviewed and approved by them. They made their decision based on the
uniqueness of the project and were willing to let us do what we wanted to do in order to make this demonstration a
success.
Studies cited by the National Resources Defense Council show that Diesel exhaust causes mutations in chromosomes
and damage to DNA, and that the very fine particles from the exhaust aggravate respiratory illnesses like bronchitis and
emphysema. Enough is enough: if we can show people how to mitigate diesel exhaust and noise the better for the
environment, the better for our passengers.
Sounds like a pretty straightforward approach, and like something that might work for others, as well. But, that's not
something that's likely to happen. There has to be a reason to do something like this, and we tried to give the City
Council of Newport Beach the law change to give other operators a good reason and the incentive we didn't have.
This law change would have provided a negligible incentive to operators to convert to non-diesel propulsion. The City
Council apparently believed that it would have only currently served one vessel operator, namely us. Well that's true for
the immediate future. But the idea is to promote conversion.
If it weren't for various forms of incentives and payments by the government the EV1 electric car would have never left
the drawing board. You have to start somewhere: This law change would have had virtually no impact on City revenues
-- probably offsetting any small incentive in added business and revenue through Sales Taxes -- something the City has
been losing out on for some time. The Coastkeeper, a prominent Orange County organization that serves as guardian of
the Newport Bay seemed to think it was a pretty good idea, too. They're part of the National Alliance of Keepers headed
by Robert Kennedy.
No matter what the reason, the result is that this 100-passenger vessel operates without diesel power. That means that
there are no toxins being dumped into either the air or the water or on our guests' dinners.
To date, we have had numerous bookings as a result of our unique system of propulsion from those who are both
ecologically minded as well as just like the idea of holding an event without the associated noise and smoke of
conventional propulsion. We're proud of our accomplishment. We think that eventually more of these conversions will
occur - they must if the fragile balance of life and environment are to remain intact.
Thank you for your time.
Capt. Joe Warren,
Founder of the Electric Riverboat Angela Louise
thousands of dollars later, the goal of propelling our vessel through this harbor by clean electric power finally became a
reality.
"Why?" is a question I hear a lot. Why add an environmentally friendly power source to a vessel that runs well on diesel?
Most folks tend to think that there'll be some form of savings in reduced fuel costs, maintenance or a combination of
those two. Actually, we would have been miles and dollars ahead had we not added the electric system.
But, it wasn't about money. It was about not contributing to the harbor's fairly dismal condition by adding more toxins; it
was about achieving near-absolute silence from the machinery while wedding vows were exchanged; it was about
getting along with our neighbors -- the people who have spent in many cases millions of dollars on water-side homes; it
was to make certain that while dining, diesel fumes didn't overtake the fragrance of a finely prepared meal. It was just
about social responsibility, really, and the chance to do something completely unique.
Quickly, I want to add that, although government wasn't interested in sponsoring or even acknowledging this
demonstration project, the leadership at Trojan Battery were, supplying us with all of the batteries used on board. For
that matter, so were the people at Trace Engineering: they make the power inverter system used aboard that converts
DC voltage to AC. They were nice enough to sponsor that sophisticated system.
We weren't alone in the vision to make the Riverboat electric -- Because we and the US Coast Guard are concerned
about passenger safety, the plans had to be reviewed and approved by them. They made their decision based on the
uniqueness of the project and were willing to let us do what we wanted to do in order to make this demonstration a
success.
Studies cited by the National Resources Defense Council show that Diesel exhaust causes mutations in chromosomes
and damage to DNA, and that the very fine particles from the exhaust aggravate respiratory illnesses like bronchitis and
emphysema. Enough is enough: if we can show people how to mitigate diesel exhaust and noise the better for the
environment, the better for our passengers.
Sounds like a pretty straightforward approach, and like something that might work for others, as well. But, that's not
something that's likely to happen. There has to be a reason to do something like this, and we tried to give the City
Council of Newport Beach the law change to give other operators a good reason and the incentive we didn't have.
This law change would have provided a negligible incentive to operators to convert to non-diesel propulsion. The City
Council apparently believed that it would have only currently served one vessel operator, namely us. Well that's true for
the immediate future. But the idea is to promote conversion.
If it weren't for various forms of incentives and payments by the government the EV1 electric car would have never left
the drawing board. You have to start somewhere: This law change would have had virtually no impact on City revenues
-- probably offsetting any small incentive in added business and revenue through Sales Taxes -- something the City has
been losing out on for some time. The Coastkeeper, a prominent Orange County organization that serves as guardian of
the Newport Bay seemed to think it was a pretty good idea, too. They're part of the National Alliance of Keepers headed
by Robert Kennedy.
No matter what the reason, the result is that this 100-passenger vessel operates without diesel power. That means that
there are no toxins being dumped into either the air or the water or on our guests' dinners.
To date, we have had numerous bookings as a result of our unique system of propulsion from those who are both
ecologically minded as well as just like the idea of holding an event without the associated noise and smoke of
conventional propulsion. We're proud of our accomplishment. We think that eventually more of these conversions will
occur - they must if the fragile balance of life and environment are to remain intact.
Thank you for your time.
Capt. Joe Warren,
Founder of the Electric Riverboat Angela Louise
