In San Fransisco, there will be a new way to go to Alcatraz. On this new breed of ferry, a giant hybrid diesel/solar-powered made by Solar Sailor.
They have a dozen boats, designed for recreational to military needs. The one to be used in SF would welcome up to 600 passengers — rivaling medium- to big-size traditional ferries –, generate its own energy using a 45-foot high (20 meters) solar retractable sail, and through the sail itself as usual.
The idea is sweet. But it’s bulky, and very expensive. The cost of just a vessel? $6 to $8 million. That’s a lot. How would this investment be covered? By increasing the price of a tour in the Alcatraz prison? By counting on the massive rush of tourists going in San Fransisco to try the greener boat?
We can’t deny that with this kind of project, a massive attention will be put on green energies, low-polluting transportation, — and we really hope this to happen. We’re quite mixed on its sustainability and it’s ability to bring more sustainability in the liberal economy.
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