McKay has been appointed by Aurora Marine Design to serve as the electrical systems integrator for the Golden Gate Ferries of San Francisco, Liwa Class ferry programme.
The Liwa Class ferry program, set to commence in early 2025, will retire and replace Golden Gate Ferry’s existing fleet of vessels with eight, Liwa Class ferries by 2033.
Measuring an impressive 50.5 meters with the capacity to accommodate 500 passengers, the Liwa Class ferries will integrate McKay‘s award-winning Alarm, Control, and Monitoring System (VCAM), along with a custom Human Machine Interface’s (HMI’s) designed for the vessel’s Danfoss hybrid power generation system.
Through developing its Liwa Class fleet, Golden Gate Ferry, responsible for four passenger ferry routes plus special event services connecting Marin County with the City and County of San Francisco, will achieve greater operational efficiency and exceed the new emission requirements set by CARB CHC. Utilizing McKay’s HMI and Danfoss’s Hybrid Power Generation system to generate electrical power for the cleanest EPA certified engines with Diesel Particulate Filters and Selectric Catalytic Reduction systems from MAN Diesel engines.
McKay, a leading marine Systems Integrator, brings a wealth of experience to the Liwa Class ferry, having a strong track record of delivering complex electrical marine projects to a wide range of vessels, including superyachts and research ships from 18 to 85.6 meters in size, including the complete Electrical Engineering and commissioning of the first fully electric passenger ferry in the Southern Hemisphere.
Ben Haselden, McKay Marine Manager, shared: “This agreement cements our commitment not only to the United States but also to our dedication in assisting major operators like Golden Gate Ferry in meeting their obligations to the environment and the Californian government.”
With its focus on efficiency, modernisation, and innovative integrations, the Liwa Class ferry program aims to transform Golden Gate Ferry’s fleet and pave the way for more sustainable transportation options.