Shipbuilders at Breaux Brothers Enterprises Inc., New Iberia, La., have turned over the hull of a new hybrid-electric tour boat that is being built for Port Houston.
The hull of the 73'x28' aluminum catamaran was constructed upside down to allow welders to work efficiently on the outer plating. Once the hull was completed, cranes from H. Brown Inc. lifted and rotated the structure. Workers can now begin installing the hybrid propulsion system, plumbing, and interior passenger spaces.
Designed by the U.S. office of naval architecture firm Incat Crowther, the newbuild will be equipped with a Twin Disc battery hybrid propulsion system featuring two 265-kW propulsion motors that will drive fixed-pitch propellers through Twin Disc MGE-5065 SC gearboxes. The vessel will have a maximum speed of 12 knots.
The vessel is designed with an energy storage system with a capacity of 768 kWh, enough to run entirely on battery power during its standard two-hour educational tours, offering a quiet, zero-emission ride. It will recharge between trips using a custom shoreside charging system equipped with AC/DC converters. To ensure reliability and extended range when needed, the vessel will also include two Caterpillar C9.3 backup generators, each producing 300 kW, for added operational flexibility. Capacities include 700 gals. of fuel, 250 gals. freshwater, and 250 gals. sullage.
Scheduled for delivery in 2026, the vessel will give public tours of the Houston Ship Channel with reduced emissions. Port Houston offers free maritime education and industry awareness tours twice per day, Tuesday through Saturday, with additional special tours available as needed.
The new USCG Subchapter T vessel will accommodate 150 passengers across two decks, about 60 passengers more than can be accommodated on the Sam Houston, the vessel it will replace. The main deck will feature seating for 68 passengers, including two wheelchair-accessible spaces, within an air-conditioned cabin that also includes a kiosk, an information counter, and four bathrooms.
The upper deck will seat 81 passengers, with about 90% of seats covered. Its layout supports easy movement and accessibility, while the large wheelhouse on the upper deck offers the captain and crew full 360-degree visibility.
"We wanted an even more environmentally friendly vessel, one that is ADA accessible, and more conducive to various activities such as maritime education tours and special events," a Port Houston spokesperson told WorkBoat when the boat was ordered.
