For community residents that are accustomed to walks or kayaking along the waterfront near Little Norway Park, you may have noticed a new look to the Marilyn Bell ferry with its 100% green messaging painted loud and proud on the vessel’s Port and Starboard sides. Thats because the Marilyn Bell is the first 100% green renewable energy operated ferry in Canada emitting zero emissions into our community effective December 2021.
The absence of the familiar odour of diesel is fantastic and because the generators and engines were removed to make way for a new electric power and propulsion system. A suite of lithium-ion batteries powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity makes for a very quiet if not zero noise ferry. The super quiet charging process happens every time the ferry docks in the slip on the mainland side (approximately every 15 minutes).
The older Dave Hornell ferry, will still be used when required for maintenance or when the Marilyn Bell is being fine tuned by the many marine consultants involved in the electrification project.
We are very happy to have had the support and co-operation of Ports Toronto taking this important climate challenge in our community and making it a reality by reducing noise and pollution near our playgrounds, schools, and homes.
