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Historic Port Tenant’s Fleet Switching to Shore Power

Thursday, 29 December 2011
Contact: Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216

The start of a major green renovation is being celebrated along San Diego Bay.

Port of San Diego tenant Flagship Cruises & Events, a San Diego Harbor Excursion luxury tour brand, is transitioning its 11-vessel fleet to shore power at a new facility to be built between Broadway Pier and Navy Pier. The $2.5 million project will allow Flagship vessels to plug into on-shore electricity while docked, instead of running their diesel engines – an innovation that is good for air quality.

Flagship plans to start construction in January, with completion by mid-2012. A private groundbreaking event was held early this month.

This project is part of Flagship Cruises & Events' commitment to sustainable business practices. The company is among 49 Port of San Diego waterfront businesses participating in the Green Business Challenge.

The challenge – the first of its kind on the West Coast – promotes business practices that reduce energy consumption, water use and waste, as well as prevent pollution.

Flagship Vice President Brad Engel said the decision to sign on for the Challenge was an easy one.

"Our goal is to reduce our company's carbon footprint for the good of the environment," said Engel. "The Green Business Challenge is one way for all Port District tenants to learn from one another as well as support the Port of San Diego in its role as an environmental steward."

The shore power system is expected to reduce diesel air emissions by 50 percent. When the fleet is docked, onboard diesel power supply will switch to shore-based electrical power. This process greatly reduces polluting air emissions from the ships since electricity from the grid is much cleaner than electricity generated from diesel engines.

The project also consists of reconfigured docks and construction of new boarding ramps and four modern slips.

In January of 2011, the Engel's longest running company San Diego Harbor Excursion, celebrated its 95th anniversary with a makeover and the launch of Flagship Cruises & Events to represent its luxury private charter and public dining cruises.

"San Diego Harbor Excursion built a strong reputation in historic waterfront tourism," said Engel. "People associate 95 years of memories with that name. But through the years, you evolve."

San Diego Harbor Excursion provides Coronado ferry service, water taxis, harbor tours and whale watching excursions. Engel said Flagship Cruises & Events is designed to appeal to a higher-end charter clientele that complements the luxury yachts that have been added to its fleet.

Flagship's fleet includes the 158-foot California Spirit, which can accommodate 600 guests or seat up to 300 for dinner.

"It's all about our guests and we strive to make every experience an unforgettable one," said Flagship CEO Art Engel.

The company has implemented other sustainable business practices, including:

• Flagship recently expanded its recycling program, both in its corporate office as well as adding bins on its entire fleet.
• All 11 vessels have copper-free hull paints. They were applied at Chula Vista's Marine Group Boat Works, also owned by the Engel family. Since 2008, the Port has been actively testing a variety of copper-free hull paints with the goal of finding hull paints that protect the environment without reducing a boat's performance.
• Staff no longer uses plastic water bottles. Each employee uses a Flagship branded bottle for reuse in the office.
• Flagship's office lighting was replaced with energy-saving fluorescent lighting two years ago.

"We're investing money in projects that we believe will benefit the bay that we work on and live around," Engel said.

To learn more about upcoming public cruises or to inquire about chartering a vessel with Flagship Cruises & Events, visit their web site at FlagshipSD.com.

Both of the Port District's cruise ship terminals have implemented shore power technology.

The Port's Green Port Program, which was started in 2008, is designed to put the Port District's environmental goals into practice. Since its inception, the Port of San Diego has received more than $4.2 million in grant funding, which has helped pay for the installation of equipment to power docked cruise ships by an electrical source, and to provide financial assistance for truck operators to install special diesel-emissions filters or replace older model vehicles.

The Port of San Diego was created by the state legislature in 1962. Since then, it has invested $1.7 billion in public improvements in its five member cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego.

The Port District oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.