Bellingham, WA January 27, 2025:
All American Marine (AAM), together with Harbor Breeze Cruises, proudly announces their agreement to design and construct a new state-of-the-art 108’ x 32.5’ hybrid passenger vessel for deployment in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, CA. This innovative vessel will provide harbor tours, whale watch cruises, and dinner events, in and around Los Angeles/Long Beach port complex. The vessel design was developed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design, and exceeds US EPA Tier 4 and California Air Resources Board (CARB) air quality requirements.
The vessel accomplishes its missions via a propulsion system using Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) coupled to a parallel hybrid battery propulsion system, supplied by ABB Inc. The system will feature twin 250kW traction motors and a 588kW BorgWarner Energy Storage System (ESS), allowing Harbor Breeze Cruises to operate harbor tours emission free.
This new demonstration project will highlight the latest technological and commercially available systems in the maritime industry. It exceeds the most rigorous emissions guidelines in North America, including the most recent CARB harbor craft rules. The vessel is part of the Los Angeles Marine Emission Reduction (LA MER) project that received a $15 million grant from CARB’s Advanced Technology Demonstration and Pilot Project program.. This new vessel will set a benchmark in maritime innovation, being the first of its kind, as a multi-purpose monohull operating as a USCG Subchapter K passenger vessel with systems and equipment installed to meet the USCG requirements to operate on a “Limited Coastwise” route, in a parallel hybrid configuration with advanced data collection capabilities. The highly customized design of this vessel incorporates advanced technology throughout the vessel and provides Harbor Breeze Cruises with an unsurpassed level of operational flexibility.
The vessel will feature multiple decks, a customized stadium seating platform on the bow, a 350-passenger capacity, and enhancements that prioritize the passenger experience throughout. All American built and delivered two previous vessels for Harbor Breeze Cruises, Triumphant and La Espada, and is looking forward to continuing the long-standing relationship with their organization. Studio Sculli is the Italian design house responsible for the unique styling of this next-gen vessel.
“We are beyond excited to design and build this vessel. It’s going to be the first of its kind in the passenger vessel industry,” stated, Dan Salas, Owner and Operator of Harbor Breeze Cruises, “All American Marine has built two other very successful vessels for our operation, and we can’t wait to see our vision come to life again, working with AAM and Teknicraft.. It’s sure to set the standard for passenger vessels, not only in design and build, but in its innovative propulsion systems, paving the way forward to a cleaner future.”
The companies involved in this project are on the leading edge of innovation across the maritime industry and will combine their expertise and resources to build this innovative project. A project which emphasizes a commitment to a sustainable future on the water. The vessel will be designed with twin MAN D2862 EPA Tier 4 engines, supplied by Northern Lights. The engines will drive fixed-pitch propellers via a remote-mounted Reinjtes gearbox provided by Karl Senner Inc. This system will also be fit with twin 250kW electric drive motors powered by the ESS which will provide an all-electric, zero emissions mode for the cleanest operations available for vessel propulsion. This custom vessel will be a valuable addition to the Harbor Breeze fleet, offering four unique operational modes for unparalleled flexibility on the water and at port: Diesel-powered propulsion, Fully electric, emissions free propulsion, Underway battery charging, and Stationary battery charging. US EPA Tier 4 standards including selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and MAN class-approved diesel particulate filters (DPF) will achieve further reductions in exhaust emissions, if engine use is required on longer routes. These technologies will enable the vessel to exceed stringent California emission standards while maintaining performance and fuel efficiency.
“All American Marine and Teknicraft Design, are looking forward to working on this groundbreaking passenger vessel. It is a first of its kind in the United States. This unique propulsion package will be novel for not only Harbor Breeze, but also the Maritime industry. Offering both low or zero emissions operations and providing a wide range of possibilities for Harbor Breeze Cruises . ” Ron Wille, President All American Marine
All American Marine, located on the shores of Bellingham Bay, was founded in 1987 and specializes in the construction of custom-tailored aluminum vessels. Today, the company has become a leading builder of high-speed passenger boats, hybrid vessels, dinner cruise boats, patrol vessels and research vessels. All American Marine is proud to have recently become part of the Bryton Marine Group family of boat builders and maintains its mission to adding quality and innovation in every aspect of the business.
The Los Angeles Marine Emission Reduction (LA MER) project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.