The Trust for Governors Island introduced the Harbor Charger on August 12, 2025, adding New York State's first hybrid-electric public ferry to the route between Lower Manhattan and Governors Island. The new vessel arrived during the island's 20th anniversary as a public destination and was designed to carry more passengers while reducing the fuel use and emissions associated with the older diesel fleet.
TheNakedNYC Coverage
YouTube: The Harbor Charger Launch
What to Know
A Public Contest Named It
More than 800 entries were submitted during a citywide naming competition. Brooklyn resident David Kurnov proposed Harbor Charger, a name that connects the boat's electric propulsion with its working harbor route.
Batteries Support Every Deck
The vessel uses 122 lithium-ion batteries with Siemens Energy's BlueDrive Eco propulsion, BlueVault storage, and EcoMAIN monitoring systems. Battery power supports propulsion as well as lighting and air conditioning, while azimuthing thrusters allow 360-degree maneuvering.
Capacity Reached 1,200 Passengers
The ferry can carry as many as 1,200 passengers and 30 vehicles. Its passenger spaces include an ADA-accessible lower lounge, restrooms on every deck, and air conditioning, and the vessel can travel up to 66 percent faster than the ferries it joined.
Shoreside Charging Comes Next
The Harbor Charger initially entered hybrid service while rapid-charging infrastructure remained under development. Once that system is operating, the Trust projects further emissions reductions beyond the savings achieved by replacing the 1956 diesel ferry Lt. Samuel S. Coursen.
Four Firms Built the Vessel
Conrad Shipyard constructed the ferry in Louisiana from an Elliott Bay Design Group design, with Siemens Energy supplying key power systems and the Trust for Governors Island overseeing the project. The official launch announcement preserves the full specifications and project record.