Cruising San Francisco Bay by the sun in 2009

We know that ocean-going shipping is actually one of the largest transportation sources of green house emissions so anything that can reduce that is a plus. The vessel pictured above won't make much of a dent by itself but if all goes well it could be plying the waters of San Francisco Bay by 2009. San Francisco-based Hornblower yachts is seeking Coast Guard approval to use a boat equipped with a solar sail to move passengers around the area. The rigid photovoltaic cell covered sail can draw power either from the sun or wind as well as a backup diesel engine.

[Source: CNet, via Engadget]