Green Yachting on the Horizon
Planned Independence 60 Yacht Eliminates Fossil Fuel Dependence
Independence Green Yachts is developing a 60-foot full displacement hull trawler that is powered through use of solar panels, hydrogen generator and fuel cells.
Adoption of clean or green boating practices is seen by many as necessary to protect the environment and preserve access to natural places by boaters. Taking clean boating to the next level, Fred Berry and John Mann have proposed constructing a green luxury yacht called the Independence 60 that will be eco-friendly to maintain and operate.
Speaking to Boating & Sailing for this article, Independence Green Yachts President Fred Berry describes their effort, "We think the Independence 60’s time has come due to the high price of fuel, such as gasoline and diesel and the fact that more people are looking for alternatives to fossil based fuels. Our design makes the vessel capable of operating completely independently of any fuel infrastructure. It uses the energy from the sun which is free and the water it sits in as the fuel source which is also free. As long as the sun is shining and the vessel is sitting in some type of water, then the boat can make and store its own fuel for use when the owner wants to use it."
Berry continues saying, "Practically speaking it makes the fuel all week long while the owner is away from the vessel so that there is “fuel” when they arrive for the week-end. All of the technology we are using is currently available as “off the shelf products”, but has never been applied in this manner before on a water based vessel for propulsion and house loads. We have been able to provide this combination of technology in a yacht that is comparably priced with other 60 foot vessels that use internal combustion engines and have the same fit and finish."
An Innovative Renewable Energy System - There have recently been a few diesel-electric hybrid vessels proposed. Independence Green Yachts is looking to power its craft entirely from solar energy. Roof mounted solar cells will provide direct current (DC) to an onboard hydrogen generator. Hydrogen fuel produced by the generator will be stored in a metal hydride tank for use by a fuel cell. Power produced by the fuel cell will be available for immediate use by DC powered equipment or can be routed to an inverter to provide alternating current for the yacht. Power can be drawn from three sources:
- Through the Fuel Cell
- From the Onboard Battery Storage Bank
- Directly from the Solar Cell Panels
A Focus on Renewable Resources - The Independence 60 will not use fossil fuels in its operation. Byproducts of the vessel's energy system are oxygen from the hydrogen generator and water from the fuel cell. The hull and superstructure will be built of aluminum that is easily recycled. Berry and Mann are committed to using renewable or recycled building materials in areas that don't utilize aluminum.
Proposed Vessel Specifications - Power produced by the onboard fuel cell will drive two 75-kilowatt (100 horsepower) electric motors mounted in azimuthing pods or azipods. Interior appointments will be commensurate to those found in other luxury yachts and the craft is being designed by Robb Ladd Yacht Designs of Annapolis, Maryland. Operating specifications are subject to developmental changes:
- Length Overall- 18.1 meters (59 feet 5 inches)
- Length at the Waterline - 16.2 (53 feet)
- Beam - 4.3 meters (14 feet)
- Draft - 1.2 meters (4 feet)
- Displacement - 28 metric tons (61,000 pounds)
- Propulsion - 2 75-kilowatt (100 horsepower) 480V AC electric azimuthing pods
- Top Design Speed - 13 knots (24 kilometers per hour)
- Design Cruising Speed - 8 knots (14.8 kilometers per hour)
- Range at Cruising Speed - 600 nautical miles (1,111 kilometers)
- Range at 6 Knots - 1,200 nautical miles (2,222 kilometers)
Company designers believe the Independence 60 should be comparable in cost to other displacement trawlers in the same size class. Clean boating is becoming a part of vessel design and Independence Green Yachts is offering boaters a taste of what's possible in the near future.
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