Zero-emission yacht arriving in South Florida

October 15, 4:05 PMMiami Outdoor Recreation ExaminerPatrick Nason

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Making its American debut at the 2009 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is the Mochi Craft Long Range 23, a diesel-electric luxury yacht capable of zero-emission operation.  At 23 meters/75 feet long, the new offering by the Ferretti Group is a must-see at the show. 

Diesel-electric technology is nothing new.  It has been used for years by large ships, locomotives and a few of the largest megayachts such as Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen's 414ft Octopus.  Most yachts above 30 feet are powered by one or two diesel engines geared through a transmission that directly spin the propellers.  Mochi's Long Range 23 utilizes diesel engines, generators and battery packs working together to enable several modes of efficient operation:

1.  Diesel Propulsion and Energy Storing-  The diesel engines, as well as handling normal propulsion, operate the electric motors.  In this way they work as generators, rapidly recharging the propulsion battery pack. 
2.  Diesel Propulsion-  The electric motors, disengaged from the diesel, drive the propellers and are powered by the on board generators and the propulsion battery pack.
3.  ZEM Propulsion-  The propellers are powered by the electric motors, disengaged from the diesel and operated exclusively by the propulsion battery pack, providing totally silent, zero emission operations.
4.  ZEM Function-  All onboard functions are powered by the propulsion battery pack, including air conditioning, boiler and ARG, enabling totally silent, zero-emission functioning of the boat.

Check out the Mochi Long Range 23 at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show at Bahia Mar Yachting Center on E-Dock #500.  The show begins on Thursday October 29th and runs through Monday November 2nd, 2009.