Fire pump for the first bio-diesel hybrid electric ferry

Canal Boats, Inc. has delivered the first bio-diesel hybrid electric ferry, the “Clay Shaw” to Broward County Mass Transit. Mrs. Emilie Shaw, wife of U.S. Congressman Clay Shaw, Rep., Fort Lauderdale did the honors before a crowd of 150 people.

Seven more ferries to increase Mass Transits routes and service levels will join the “Clay Shaw”. Riders will be able to use ground or water interchangeably. With 300 miles of “wet streets” in Broward County, the area is perfectly suited for ferry service.

The drive system is powered by a 100KW John Deere genset which runs on bio-diesel, an 80/20 mix of diesel fuel and vegetable oil. A bank of 6V DeKa batteries also provides 240V power to the Baldor drive motors through Danfoss variable frequency drives. Throttle/directional controls are by Marine Engine Controls and steering is Seastar capilano. The unique top was built in Quebec by RTM and shipped in one 39’ long assembly. The top has anodized aluminum frames and Lexan Thermo-Clear overhead panels. Rich Beer’s Technicold supplied a 10-ton programmable air conditioning system. Conveyor and Castor supplied the fendering. Depco supplied the fire pump.