An electric fast ferry powered by a hydrogen fuel cell is set to be deployed in New York City waters, according to zero-emission vessel developer Switch Maritime LLC, Jackson, Wyoming, and naval architecture firm Incat Crowther, Sydney.

The two are developing the 93'6"x29'6" Sea Change II, an aluminum catamaran designed to carry 150 passengers at a cruising speed of 25 knots. The ferry will have 720 kg of stored, compressed hydrogen capacity, providing a full day of operational range, reports WorkBoat.

Incat Crowther said it is working with Switch on the detailed development, design, and regulatory approval process, while Switch is advancing project development activities beyond vessel design. The partners, which plan to deploy a ZEF-150 demonstration based at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, have not selected a shipbuilder. The likely date of deployment was not clear.

The development of New York’s first hydrogen fuel cell electric ferry is being supported by a $2 million grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Incat Crowther and Switch recently partnered on the design, delivery and regulatory approval for Sea Change, the world’s first zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric-drive high speed passenger ferry. Sea Change now operates in the California Bay Area.

Switch Maritime’s co-founder and CEO Elias Van Sickle said: “Switch aims to provide operators with commercially viable vessels that future-proof ferry fleets. Our objective is to meet existing performance standards with drop-in solutions that don’t require overhauling systems or schedules. And if it can be done in New York, it can be done anywhere.”

Incat Crowther’s Technical Manager Dan Mace said: “The design of this vessel showcases a feasible solution for mass transit operators looking to begin the fleet decarbonisation process, while maintaining existing operational profiles. The vessel’s ability to drop in to existing New York fleets is a real positive step to reduce emissions, and ensures the vessel can be deployed quickly without the need for constructing additional shoreside infrastructure.”