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“I’ve always wanted to do this,” says Aquabus owner Geoff Pratt, who plans to electrify more of the fleet.
Date Posted:
June 1, 2022 • 18 minutes ago • 2 minutes reading • Join the conversation Archive photo of an Aquabus at Fasle Creek. Photo of RICHARD LAM / PNG
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The Vancouver Aquabus, the small, colorful False Creek boat that carries residents and tourists to popular destinations like Science World and Granville Island, is becoming electric.
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Geoff Pratt, the owner of the family business, describes himself as a head of gear who is excited to quit diesel and eventually turn all ships into electric ones.
However, this will take time, especially with larger Cyquabus platform vessels.
For now, the family has already changed one of its smaller, 12-passenger wooden boats from 1985, and the result has been fantastic, he said.
“It’s actually very comfortable and quiet. So we’re happy with the result,” Pratt said, adding, “I’ve always wanted to do that.”
In fact, he tried to become an electrician about 10 years ago, but the technology was not the same as it is now.
“I spent a lot of money and put up a system, but all the drivers would break down,” he said. “Marine environments are the toughest because of salt water, and the systems weren’t ready for that yet.”
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He said the batteries used to be very heavy and are now much lighter, while the charge lasts much longer. Pratt estimated that the ship could be out in False Creek for five to six hours before it needed to be loaded.
Pratt said it is costly to adapt ships, but as technology continues to change, it should be more cost-effective, and while it has not yet achieved the figures, it is confident of possible fuel cost savings and engine repairs.
“It simply came to our notice then. As if there was no transmission to the electrical system. It’s just back and forth, ”he said.
“I love mechanical things. So for me this project was fantastic.”
Pratt, 62, said his son and daughter are also working for the business and are excited to have a transition to a fully electric fleet in the future, not that he plans to retire soon.
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The Aquabus has been serving False Creek and the surrounding area since its inception in June 1985 by owners Jeff and Margot Pratt, who initially operated only one boat. They quickly added three more ships just in time for Expo 86.
In 1995 they added the first Cyquabus, a ship capable of carrying bicycles, prams and wheelchairs. They now have a fleet of 14 ships, eight of which are Cyquabus.
ticrawford@postmedia.com
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