Media tours of the Hornblower Hybrid will be available on January 4th. There is limited space available so please contact Sara Copping, Director of Marketing for space at 949-646-0155 x4420 or scopping@hornblower.com.
Marina del Rey, CA (December 9, 2009) � The Hornblower Hybrid, the first hybrid ferry in the United States, will arrive in Marina del Rey on January 3 and remain through January 6, 2010. The Hornblower Hybrid uses a combination of solar panels, wind turbines and fuel-efficient diesel engines to power the vessel. The vessel, which is the first of its kind and unparalleled in the world, was designed and built by Hornblower Cruises & Events.
The Hornblower Hybrid will be docked at Fisherman�s Village, located at 13755 Fiji Way in Marina del Rey. It is 64-feet long and can carry 149 passengers. The spacious main deck and awning-covered open top deck are a perfect entertaining space. The vessel will be open to the public for � hour eco-harbor tours on January 5 at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm. For more information about hosting a party on the hybrid or coming onboard for scheduled eco-tours, call 310-301-6000.
�We are proud of the Hornblower Hybrid and the innovation it represents. The Hybrid offers a great blend of technology available today and it�s our privilege to showcase the Hybrid in our Los Angeles port,� said Hornblower Greater Los Angeles General Manager Kevin Lorton. �We are so excited to share the Hornblower Hybrid with our local communities.�
The Hybrid is environmentally-friendly inside and out. The vessel itself is even recycled: it was originally a dive boat and Hornblower engineers removed the entire propulsion (generators, engines and motors) system and replaced it with a custom-designed hybrid system. The carpeting contains post consumer recycled materials, is recyclable and meets the US Green Building Council LEED criteria for recycled content. A significant portion of the interior signage is printed on Plyboo, a composite material made from sustainable sources and containing no harmful chemicals. The countertops throughout the vessel are made by Vetrazzo from recycled SKYY vodka bottles. The lighting throughout the vessel is LED, which requires a fraction of the energy of standard bulbs and provide an equal or greater amount of illumination.
The Hornblower Hybrid uses power generated by the wind turbines and a photovoltaic solar array covering the awning on the top deck. That power is 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, emissions and overall carbon footprint. 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 of energy stored in the battery banks.
The Hornblower Hybrid is a model of the potential power of alternative energies and creative engineering solutions. The Hornblower Hybrid is a platform from which the general public will realize first-hand knowledge of the capabilities of solar power, wind power and other hybrid technological advancements.
The Hornblower Hybrid is also a platform for Hornblower to discuss Respect Our Planet, the company�s environmental outreach program. From coast to coast, in all Hornblower operations, Respect Our Planet helps guests learn about how individuals can impact the health of our planet. Hornblower is on the leading edge for environmental responsibility within the maritime industry and Respect Our Planet allows the company to chronicle all achievements under one banner.
For media inquiries please contact Sara Copping, Director of Marketing at 949- 646-0155 x4420 or scopping@hornblower.com
To view video footage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rId-2WId9M4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZppH1KAqMXk
For more information visit our web site:
http://www.hornblowerhybrid.com
Here are a few images from flickr.com:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=hybrid%20hornblower&w=all
