Electric Candela P-12 Business Ferry Glides Across Water in Near Silence

Passengers board a ferry that feels more like a luxury executive lounge than any other boat on the water. The Candela P-12 Business truly delivers, as the ride is so silky smooth and silent that discussions flow smoothly, you can even hold a full cup of coffee in your hand, and the entire journey becomes the highlight of your day. Candela devised a set of computer-controlled underwater wings for this 12-meter electric ferry, which lifts the hull out of the water once the boat reaches speed. Drag plummets and waves simply flow below instead than bouncing off the sides.

Two motors generate electricity, each having 110 kilowatts of continuous power and 160 kilowatts to spare. The motors are powered by a 378-kilowatt-hour battery pack, which can only be used for approximately 336 kilowatt-hours. At a steady cruise speed of 25 knots, the ferry may travel up to 40 nautical miles on a single charge, which is not surprising given the average length of daily routes between islands, coastal towns, and city harbors. During testing, top speed exceeded 30 knots. Recharging is achieved using the conventional high-power DC stations used for heavy trucks or rapid electric vehicles.

Noise levels within the cabin are roughly similar to a normal discussion in a quiet room (63 to 64 dB) when cruising at high speeds. Traditional speedboats, on the other hand, frequently reach 85 to 95 decibels, making quite the racket. Even modern diesel ships operate at 65 to 75 decibels. To put things into perspective, a 10 decibel drop sounds about half as loud to human hearing. The only sound you hear is a mild hum from the motors; there are no roaring engines or regular thuds of water against the hull. They’ve installed more sound insulation and some very thick carpets to keep the space as quiet as possible.

Inside, the layout prioritizes comfort for up to 20 passengers (although 16 is the typical). There are some quite comfortable seats with plenty of legroom, and each seat has a built-in USB-C connector to keep your electronics charged. They also have a coffee bar to keep everyone refreshed and air conditioning to keep the temperature consistent. There’s also some storage room in the back to keep people’s gear. At night, a star ceiling lighting system casts a calm, shifting radiance above. There are large panoramic windows that let you to take in the views from all directions, which is a huge plus. A wide, robust ramp at the boarding point is extremely useful, especially for anyone who need additional assistance, such as strollers or wheelchairs.

The P-12 Business’s operators gain significantly from its design. When the ferry is on its foils, energy consumption lowers by up to 80% compared to a typical vessel of the same size. That means decreased fuel bills, because electricity is far less expensive than marine diesel, after all. As a result, the boat causes significantly less disturbance to shorelines and other vessels. It also minimizes underwater noise, which benefits marine life significantly. All of these qualities make the P-12 Business a clear winner on routes where emissions and noise laws are tightening.
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