Press News

GLORY Celebrates It's 10th Anniversary

May 1, 2008 — Greenport NY...This summer season will mark the tenth year of operations for GLORY, the only electric-powered boat offering tour-guided cruises on Peconic Bay in Long Island. Built in 1990 GLORY is a reproduction of the 30-foot fantail launch designed by the ELCO Company for the 1893 Chicago Exposition.

Andrew Rowsom and David Berson offer tours to visitors from Memorial Day through October, departing from Preston’s Dock in downtown Greenport. GLORY is certified by the United States Coast Guard to carry 14 passengers and is captained by a licensed Master Mariner.

“Had we been running a standard diesel-powered vessel,” says Captain Berson,  “we would have consumed more than 6,400 gallons of fuel, adding more than 142,000 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere in the past eight years. Given the growing urgency of regulating greenhouse gas emissions, this would be unacceptable.” Not only is running an electric-powered vessel good for the environment, Captain Berson notes it is also good for business. Estimating the cost of diesel at $3.00 a gallon-it is usually a dollar more on the waterfront- Berson calculates that GLORY has saved more than $20,000 in eight years. These savings have made it possible to keep fares flat at $15,00 for adults, $12,00 for seniors and $5.00 for children.

Since GLORY runs on 8 AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries it only requires enough electric power shore side to charge the batteries. The annual cost of keeping the batteries charged, according to the Greenport Electric Authority, has been about $100 seasonally.

“We have proven,” says Berson, “that a viable business can be run that both serves the community and the environment as well. We are very happy that what began as an experiment has flourished.”

Since the summer of 1999 GLORY has safely carried thousands of passengers, raising their awareness of the importance of the tidal estuary called Peconic Bay, an important breeding ground for mollusks, bluefish and conch. GLORY regularly operate tours for the North Fork Audubon Society, The Greenport Public School, The Cornell Maritime Extension and other educational organizations that have an interest in protecting the environment.