Hog Island Audubon Camp launches electric passenger boat in Maine

The National Audubon Society, through its Seabird Institute and the Island Institute, has launched a refurbished electric-powered pontoon boat at Hog Island Audubon Camp in Bremen, Maine. This vessel marks the first fully electric passenger boat in the National Audubon Society’s fleet.

Powered by a 20-kilowatt ePropulsion X20 electric outboard motor, the boat provides passenger transport and supply services between the mainland, Hog Island, and nearby coastal research operations from April through October. On high-traffic days, a single charge is capable of powering more than 25 round trips.

The transition from a petrol outboard to electric propulsion is intended to reduce fuel and maintenance costs while providing a quieter environment for wildlife observation and ecological research. The initiative is supported by various partners, including ePropulsion, Mack Boring & Parts, Co., Builders Vision, and the Maine Technology Institute.