The UK’s first hydrogen-fuelled ferry has set sail from Bristol on its maiden voyage. The project has attracted the attention of various other cities including Hanover and London, as they strive for ways to achieve better environmental wellness. The developers of the Hydrogenesis feel that this could be the start of improved environmental wellbeing for cities around the world, as it opens up the door to a whole new phase in green marine engineering.
The service launched on Thursday, with the skipper, Richard Rankin, at the wheel. As he carefully steered the vessel past polluting diesel ferries, he commented that the boat handled well and was quiet as well as clean, admitting that he felt surprised that the ferry was so efficient.
The boat is 11 metres long and the fuel is made by companies based in the south-west of England. The project was given a quarter of a million pound boost from the Bristol city council in order to help to city win green capital status. Although this was its first official voyage, it was tested out in February to see how it would cope with the icy waters of winter. In contrast, the boat also copes well with the current warm weather. So far, the ferry has been enjoyed by business leaders, scientists and politicians and members of the public will now be able to enjoy the peaceful ride for the rest of the summer.
The Green party councilor for Bristol, Gus Hoyt, described the boat as an ‘exciting first’ for the city, saying that it showcases to Bristol and the rest of the UK and, indeed, world, the benefits that the technology can provide, and that there really can be a mode of transport with zero emissions.
