A new powerful electric patrol boat is now on duty in the Newport Harbor, the first of its kind in the nation.
Believed to be the first electric work vessel to be used by a public agency, it will join the Harbor Department’s existing fleet of three boats and assist with patrols and towing and pushing vessels that need assistance or have broken away from moorings.
The Newport Harbor will also be the first in Southern California to have an electric charging station for vessels. The public charging location will be in Marina Park, where there are already two charging stations for land vehicles.
The gray VITA Seal electric boat is soft-sided and measures 23 feet in length. Charged by two lithium batteries, it can travel up to 30 knots and run for 10 hours between charges. It can carry as many as eight people aboard.
Paul Blank, the city’s harbor master, said the $226,000 purchase price was reduced by half thanks to a voucher the city received from the state’s Air Resources Board.
The new boat, which was manufactured in Italy, was christened HDEV in a ceremony Tuesday, Aug. 27; it’s been nicknamed Sparky.
“I’m very excited. It’s a giant step toward a greater commitment to water and clean air in Newport Beach,” Blank said. “It’s incredibly appropriate that the first all-electric worker vessel is also where the first all-electric recreational vehicle – The Duffy – was invented more than 50 years ago.”
Tuesday’s christening coincided with the unveiling of a new public dock in Newport Harbor at the end of 29th Street and Lafayette Avenue. The dock is conveniently located in the heart of Cannery Village, a popular dining destination on the Balboa Peninsula home to restaurants such as The Cannery Seafood of the Pacific, Tupelo Junction Cafe, Arc Butcher and Baker, Helmsman Ale House and The Dock.
The new dock, which can accommodate up to four 20-foot boats or one or two larger vessels, is the 15th public dock available to boaters in Newport Harbor.
The new electric boat charging station was installed near the parking lot for Marina Park and will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. It can be operated just like any car charging facility, Blank said.
At night, the new city vessel will use the charger.
Blank said there are about 2,200 electric recreational vessels afloat in Newport Harbor.
“The intention is that there will be a network of charging stations for vessels all through Southern California,” Blank said. “We’re the first publicly accessible one and we’ll be the first link in the network.”
A second station is planned for Avalon on Catalina Island and there are also stations at private marinas in Lake Tahoe and Redwood City.
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Councilmember Noah Blom said getting the electric vessel and the new charging station underlines the city’s efforts to “always be on the cutting edge.”
“This is just another piece of the puzzle keeping the harbor clean and more beautiful,” he said, adding the additions will also help the city comply with state mandates.
And, he said, it will be a good look at how an electric vessel can do as a workhorse, pointing out the state air quality board has been pressuring the iconic, century-old Balboa Ferry to switch its diesel engines to electric ones.
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