The ocean waves, while riding a boat, can often impact our bathroom habits, and disposing of this human waste is a process that has effected the cleanliness of our waters. Now, a collaborative group has launched the world’s first full-size solar-electric pump-out boat.
Together, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protections (DEEP), US Fish and Wildlife Service and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, and the Town of Branford and East District Health Department have worked to create a 25 ft. aluminum boat that provides free sewage pump-out services, preventing the discharge of human waste into the local waterways.
The propulsion system for the boat entails two Torqeedo Cruise 4.0 outboard motors, four Torqeedo Power 48 lithium-ion batteries, and four chargers. In addition, the cockpit control panel gives the operator an at-a-glance view of the system status, which includes the range at current speed. The motors gain electricity from the batteries, which are charged by eight 100-watt solar panels that provide 400 watts to each battery bank. The batteries are also the driving force behind the boat’s 48V 2hp pump and provide enough reserve capacity for the entire day.
The team received funding under the Federal Clean Vessel Act and other local efforts. The Clean Vessel Act focuses their attention on building and maintaining pump-out stations, pump-out boats, and dumping stations that are more responsible and keep waste out of the nation’s waterways.
“This new solar-electric vessel will set the standard for future pump-out boats in coastal communities worldwide,” said Steve Trkla, president of Torqeedo, Inc., according to Torqeedo. “It’s a clean, green zero-fuel, zero-emission solution with long life, low maintenance and minimal operating costs.”
All involved in the creation of the boat hope this design can impact the future of pump-out boats and promote better solutions to keep marine life safe.
“This vessel not only protects our local marine recreational beaches and shellfish/kelp farm beds, but it also addresses the very real issue of climate change that is impacting Connecticut’s coastal communities. As a public health agency, we see reduction of carbon footprint as an important part of our duty to safeguard our communities’ environmental health,” commented Michael Pascucilla, CEO and director of health for the East Shore District Health Department. “Our research into current solar-electric technology for this vessel demonstrated that is a viable alternative to traditional internal combustion engines for recreational and commercial boats, and we hope the success of this project will lead to wider acceptance of this technology across the marine industry.”
Filed Under: Product design