Hornblower Hybrid – Responsible Tourism Award Winner

Mon, Nov 16th 2009, 12:17

Hornblower Hybrid is one of the 2009 winners of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards. San Franciscos Hornblower is a hybrid because it harnesses a host of alternative energy sources to make it an environmentally tourist ferry service.


Hornblower Hybrid ferries tourists across San Francisco Bay to visit the world famous Alcatraz Prison and Angel Island. Alcatraz Cruises, the company with the contract to conduct these tours, is behind the introduction of this environmentally friendly vessel that has won them a responsible tourism award.

The Hornblower is a hybrid boat, ie. it uses energy from solar, wind, electric and a diesel generator. The vessel can switch from one energy source to the other, depending on the needs of the vessel. This makes a significant energy saving, reducing their annual diesel consumption by more than 29,000 gallons.

Hornblower Hybrid is a 64-foot catamaran, an old diving vessel purchased in 2008 and converted into the hybrid wonder it is today. Reusing and refitting an old vessel in itself is an environmentally beneficial practice. The Hornblower has been refitted with recycled materials wherever possible and lighting was converted to LED for the lowest energy consumption. Signage is made from environmentally sensitive materials.

Not only does the Hornblower Hybrid act as the ferry taking passengers to Alcatraz, it also offers cruises around San Francisco Bay. Passengers can rest assured that they are taking one of the most environmentally cruises in the world. It is this that has earned a Responsible Tourism Award for Alcatraz Cruises and their Hornblower Hybrid.
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