Canal Corporation Welcomes Canadian Family as they Conclude First Solar-Powered Cruise on New York's Canals

ALBANY, NY (08/24/2007)(readMedia)-- New York State Canal Corporation Director Carmella R. Mantello today joined state and local officials in Waterford, Saratoga County, to welcome the Gisborne family of Ontario, Canada as they concluded the first solar-powered cruise on New York’s storied Canal System.

Director Mantello said, “The Canal Corporation is pleased to welcome the first solar-powered cruisers on the scenic and historic New York State Canal System. Solar and other forms of alternative energy hold great potential to help us protect our waterways and improve the stewardship of our precious natural resources. The Canal System is fast becoming an international destination for boaters from around the world. We will continue to support efforts to protect our nationally-significant waterway, while encouraging people to take advantage of the many recreational and cultural attractions the modern Canal System has to offer.”

Mr. Gisborne, along with his wife and daughter, departed on their historic journey from Oswego, New York on August 12 and spent time visiting numerous cities, towns and villages along the Canal System before arriving in Waterford. It is the first time anyone has traveled the New York State Canal System using solar electric energy as the primary fuel source.

Mr. Gisborne who indicated that he owns the Tamarack Lake Electric Boat Company in Ontario, Canada and built the vessel the family is traveling in, explained that the Loon, which resembles a traditional pontoon boat, has a solar-array affixed to the roof and operates primarily on solar power with an electric battery back-up. According to published reports in Canada, Mr. Gisborne and his family were the first to travel the Rideau Canal and the Trent-Severn waterway in Ontario, Canada, in August 2005 using solar power. They chose New York’s Canal System for their first solar-powered journey in America.

Mr. Gisborne said, “To my family, the New York State Canal System was a no-brainer choice for our first international cruise. Its state of development as a recreational asset is immense. People need to experience this boating adventure playground for themselves.”

Mr. Gisborne continued, “We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the incredible hospitality and generosity of the people we’ve met during our trip on New York’s Canal System. The reception we’ve received, as well as the beauty and charm of the canal communities, has greatly surpassed our every expectation. We couldn’t have asked for a better family vacation and we hope to return again and again to explore more of this historic and fascinating waterway.”

During the journey, the Gisbornes have helped to introduce more Americans to this exciting, zero-emission form of boating which melds the environmental advantages of sailing with the convenience and comfort benefits of power boating.

Solar boats are electric boats, with independent, quiet and clean engines, whose batteries store free energy from the sun. According to Gisborne, the Loon is a solar-electric boat, meaning that it can take advantage of shore electrical power to help keep the batteries topped up. All onboard devices such as a fridge, kettle and microwave also got their energy from the same batteries.

“People expect to give up so much by ridding themselves of oil, but that really wasn’t the case here at all,” Mr. Gisborne said. “We enjoyed ourselves equally or perhaps more than those who miss so much over the roar and smell of a gas motor or barely see anything due to the blur of the landscape and wildlife going by.”

Solar boating is becoming more popular around the world, especially in Europe in countries such as Switzerland, England, Germany, Austria and France. Electric boats have been plying the canals and inland waters of Europe since 1890.

In May 2007, the Sun21, a 14-meter solar-powered catamaran from Basel, Switzerland was the first to complete a 7,000-mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean using solar power. The Sun21 saved about 988 gallons of diesel – or more than 3 tons of fossil fuel – as opposed to a traditional diesel yacht.

The New York State Canal Corporation is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles across New York State, the waterway links the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture.

For more information regarding events and vacation opportunities along the Canal System, please visit www.nyscanals.gov or call 1-800-4CANAL4.

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The New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation offers a free email service called TRANSalert to its customers via email or text messaging to inform them of major incidents and emergencies that may affect travel on the Thruway or navigation on the Canal System. To sign up for the Canal TRANSalert service, customers can visit the Corporation’s website at www.nyscanals.gov/tas/. To sign-up for Thruway TRANSalerts please visit the Authority’s website at www.nysthruway.gov/tas/.

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