Vita Power continues to expand their fleet of electric workboats in California with the purchase by Berekeley of a VITA Seal that will be used for everything from debris removal to emergency response.

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The marina joins the City of Newport Beach near Los Angeles, the San Diego Yacht Club (SDYC) and West Point Harbor near Silicon Valley as pioneers in bringing zero emission workboats to the west coast of the U.S. Over on the other side of the country Vita is also part of a project that is electrifying vessels for an oyster farm in Maine.

Read “Maine oyster farm goes electric”

Like Newport Beach, Berkeley has taken delivery of the larger of Vita’s two electric workboats – the 7 metre Seal (23 feet). West Point opted for the 5.5 meter (18 foot) SeaDog and the San Diego Yacht Club took one of each. Both models are RIBs (Rigid Inflatatable Boats) and both have been designed for the sometimes unpredictable and often challenging duties required at marinas, ports and clubs.

The Seal has a cruising speed of 20 knots and a top speed of over 30 knots. The instant high torque and Vita’s proprietary controls make it a breeze for operators to execute manoeuvres in between pontoons, docks and the tight spaces of ports and marinas. They also deliver maximum towing and pushing force even at low revolutions per minute.

The situations in the various locations demonstrate the flexibility of the electric RIBs. In San Diego they are used for the club’s junior sailing program and regatta management activities and are a perfect match for the facility’s solar generation system.

In Newport the Seal is one of four boats used by the Harbor Department to execute general patrols and towing or assisting vessels that have broken away from moorings or are in other trouble. Both speed and low RPM power are important, as well as the fast DC charging capability that can fully ‘refuel’ the boat in less than an hour.

Located right within San Francisco Bay, Berkeley is one of California’s busiest marinas and the work there is somewhat different but no less taxing. It has a total capacity of 1,000 slips or tie-ups, accommodating vessels from 16 to 110 feet in length (5m to 30m).

Any of these electric workboats boats might be operating up to 10 hours per day, and Berkeley’s new Seal is already being put to the test —patrolling docks, towing vessels up to 60 feet (20m), removing floating debris, and responding to emergencies.

Interestingly – and surprisingly for many people – all of this is done without a high speed charger available. Sean Crothers, Waterfront Supervisor at Berkeley says “The Seal’s torquey, on-demand power is a definite asset, and even without a fast charger, battery use hasn’t been an issue. We have a lot of docks to cover, and an electric-powered boat is the best way to get around.”

The other benefits of a 100% electric workboat are zero carbon emissions, near silent operation and the absence of toxic fumes and fossil fuel spillages.

In the City of Newport Beach that benefits the working conditions of the boat operators and supports the Harbor Department’s mission to keep the harbour clean, safe and well-enjoyed. For yacht clubs and marinas these things are appreciated even more by the hundreds of slip owners and members who are there to relax and get away from the sounds and smells of every day life.

The icing on the cake is financial. Workboats in constant daily use burn a lot of fossil fuel and require frequent maintenance. Electric recharging is significantly cheaper than gas or diesel and electric boats require next to zero maintenance compared to ICE models. With the Seal and SeaDog it’s the savings that add up.

The adoption of the Seal by Berkeley highlights a growing shift in how harbours and marinas across the U.S. can operate more cleanly and efficiently. But it’s not just those locations that are using Vita’s electric boats. 

Read ‘Fleet of Vita electric boats at Olympic sailing events’

Jeff Johnson, SDYC’s Waterfront Manager, served on one of the 19 Seal and SeaDogs supplied by Vita in its capacity as Sole Supplier of Electric boats to the 2024 Olympic Games sailing events and the 2024 International Star Class World Championship a week later.

Duties included shuttling event officials, towing competitors, safety patrols and setting marks and showcased the ability of the boats to perform multiple tasks for long days on the water, day in and day out.

Tanguy de Lamotte, Vita CRO for North America, says “These 100% electric workboats aren’t just a tool—they’re a symbol of change.  They are helping raise public awareness, reduce noise and pollution on the water, and show what’s possible when innovation meets environmental responsibility. With flexible charging, quiet operation, and no emissions, they are setting a new benchmark for what’s expected of modern marina, club and port fleets—and inspiring other facilities to follow suit.”

Vita Power

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