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San Francisco-based Alcatraz Cruises has launched the Hornblower Hybrid, a wind, solar and diesel-powered hybrid vessel which will provide a ferry service to Alcatraz Island.

The Hornblower Hybrid uses power generated by two ten-foot-tall windturbines and a photovoltaic solar array covering the awning on the top deck. This power is then converted and stored in battery banks that then power the navigation tools, lighting and other electronics on board the vessel. Excess power is stored in the main propulsion battery banks.

In addition to solar panels and wind turbines, the Hornblower Hybrid also has Tier 2 marine diesel engines. These cleaner, fuel-efficient engines reduce the amount of diesel fuel used, thereby also lowering emissions.

The customized drive system allows the captain to monitor the energy needs of the vessel and select the most efficient power sources. For example, when the boat is idle at the dock the engines will shut off and the motors will run off energy stored in the battery banks.

The Hornblower Hybrid is a 64-foot long catamaran, with a fully enclosed main deck, and covered roof deck. The vessel, which was previously a commercial diving boat, has undergone a retrofit, repower and refurbishmentover the last few months in Sausalito, California. The vessel was designed and created in house and no grant or public money was used.

The Hornblower will be a multipurpose vessel within the Alcatraz Cruises fleet, ferrying visitors to Alcatraz Island and Angel Island, as well as taking school groups and other passengers on cruises around the Bay.

The vessel will also be available for private events. Information on chartering the vessel is available at www.alcatrazcruises.com/hybrid.

Alcatraz Cruises acts as the National Park Service concessioner of ferry services to Alcatraz Island. The contract for this service began in September 2006. The company's fleet already contains two other environmentally-friendly diesel-powered ferryboats on the Bay. Alcatraz Clipper and Alcatraz Flyer were were recently repowered with the most fuel-efficient Tier 2 marine engines available and use selective catalytic reduction units. The same technology will also be used on two new commuter ferryboats in the Bay Area, scheduled to be in use by 2009.