Large white and blue cruise boat named Harbor Breeze Cruises on calm harbor water with a distant shoreline.
White and blue passenger cruise boat sailing on calm water with forested hills in the background.
White and blue passenger cruise boat named Harbor Breeze Cruises on calm water with a shoreline and hills in the background.
Aerial view of a white speedboat with a purple canopy cruising in green water, leaving a wake behind it.
Large white and blue cruise boat named Harbor Breeze Cruises on calm harbor water with a distant shoreline.
Interior of a ferry passenger lounge with blue wavy carpet, rows of windows, and a central service desk at the far end.

El Escudo is a 108′ x 32.5′ parallel hybrid passenger vessel built by All American Marine in Bellingham, Washington, and delivered to Harbor Breeze Cruises in the Spring of 2026.. Following successful completion of sea trials, the vessel has entered service in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California. Certified as a USCG Subchapter K vessel for Limited Coastwise service, El Escudo is the first multi-purpose monohull passenger vessel of its type in the United States to operate with a parallel hybrid propulsion architecture — enabling fully zero-emissions harbor operation alongside EPA Tier 4 diesel capability in a single 350-passenger platform. The vessel operates harbor tours, whale watch cruises, and special event dining in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California.

The delivery marks AAM’s third vessel for Harbor Breeze Cruises, continuing a long-standing partnership with the operator. AAM previously built and delivered Triumphant and La Espada for the Harbor Breeze fleet.

Parallel Hybrid Propulsion System

El Escudo achieves zero-emissions operation during harbor tours and port transit through a fully integrated parallel hybrid propulsion system supplied by ABB Inc. Twin 300kW electric traction motors and a 588kW BorgWarner Energy Storage System work alongside Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) aftertreatment to exceed both U.S. EPA Tier 4 and CARB Harbor Craft emissions standards — the most rigorous currently in force in North America.

The vessel operates across four propulsion modes:

  • Conventional diesel — twin MAN D2862 Tier 4 engines for open-water and longer routes
  • Fully electric zero-emissions — battery-powered operation for harbor tours and port transit
  • Underway battery charging — diesel engines recharge the ESS during transit
  • Stationary shoreside charging — plug-in charging at dock

Operations and Use

  • Harbor tours — zero-emissions electric operation in the LA/Long Beach port complex
  • Whale watch cruises — nearshore and coastal routes off Southern California
  • Special event dining — up to 350 passengers across multiple decks with stadium-style bow seating
  • Private charters — flexible platform configurable for a range of events

Project Team

  • Builder: All American Marine — Bellingham, WA
  • Naval Architecture: Teknicraft Design with Studio Sculli
  • Exterior & Interior Design: Studio Sculli
  • Hybrid Propulsion: ABB Inc.
  • Energy Storage System: BorgWarner
  • Primary Engines: MAN D2862 Tier 4
  • Gearbox: Reintjes (Karl Senner Inc.)
  • Operator: Harbor Breeze Cruises — Long Beach, CA

“All American Marine has already delivered two outstanding vessels for our fleet, and once again they’ve brought our vision to life. This vessel sets a new standard for passenger vessels — not only in design and build quality, but in propulsion technology that truly moves the industry toward a cleaner future.”

— Dan Salas, Owner and Operator, Harbor Breeze Cruises

Frequently Asked Questions

Who built El Escudo?
El Escudo was built by All American Marine, a custom aluminum vessel builder in Bellingham, Washington. Naval architecture by Teknicraft Design; exterior and interior styling by Studio Sculli.

What propulsion system does El Escudo use?
A parallel hybrid system supplied by ABB Inc. — twin 300kW electric traction motors and a 588kW BorgWarner ESS alongside twin MAN D2862 EPA Tier 4 diesel engines. Four operating modes: conventional diesel, fully electric zero-emissions, underway battery charging, and stationary shoreside charging.

Can El Escudo operate with zero emissions?
Yes. Zero-emissions electric operation during harbor tours and port transit, exceeding both EPA Tier 4 and CARB Harbor Craft standards — the most rigorous in North America.

What makes El Escudo a first-of-its-kind vessel?
It is the first USCG Subchapter K multi-purpose monohull passenger vessel in the United States to operate with this parallel hybrid architecture — zero-emissions electric and EPA Tier 4 diesel in a single 108-foot, 350-passenger platform certified for Limited Coastwise service.

How was El Escudo funded?
Through CARB’s SHIFT program as part of the Los Angeles Marine Emission Reduction (LA MER) Project, administered by the Port of Los Angeles.

All American Marine | Bellingham WA

Specificatons
Length 108′
Beam 32.5′
Hull Teknicraft Aluminum Monohull
Engines 2x MAN D2862, EPA Tier 4 with Fixed Pitch Props
Electric Drive Twin 300kW traction motors
Energy Storage System 588kW BorgWarner ESS
Emissions Compliance EPA Tier 4, CARB Harbor Craft Rules
Mission Harbor tours, whale watch, special event dining
Class USCG Subchapter K
Two-deck passenger cruise boat, white and blue, on calm harbor with a green shoreline and blue sky.
Large white and blue cruise boat named Harbor Breeze Cruises on calm harbor water with a distant shoreline.
White and blue passenger cruise boat on calm harbor water with a coastal town and green hills in the background under a bright blue sky.
Aerial view of a white speedboat with a purple canopy cruising in green water, leaving a wake behind it.
White multi-deck passenger ferry cruising on blue water near a coastal town.
White and blue passenger cruise boat sailing on calm water with forested hills in the background.
White and blue passenger cruise boat named Harbor Breeze Cruises on calm water with a shoreline and hills in the background.
Interior of a ferry passenger lounge with blue wavy carpet, rows of windows, and a central service desk at the far end.
Bright ferry interior with large windows, blue swirling carpet, and a marble counter with two cup holders, overlooking a harbor scene.
Interior of a ship's galley: stainless steel countertops and appliances along the back wall, coffee machine, and a clean, open prep area with windows on either side.
Interior of a modern lounge with a curved blue patterned carpet, a central counter, and large windows showing vehicles outside.
Stainless steel beverage station with ice machines and a bottle cooler beneath a counter by large windows on a boat interior.
Bridge of a ship with captain’s chair, steering wheel, and control panels overlooking a harbor
Bridge of a modern vessel with a stainless steering wheel and multiple navigation screens at the helm station
Staircase on a ferry deck with yellow-tipped steps and warning text on the risers, leading to an upper level by the water.
Deck of a white vessel with a 'CREW ONLY' door, safety rails, and a life ring, overlooking a blue harbor with docks and calm water.
View from a ship deck toward a river and city skyline, with railings and shadows on a bright day
White ship deck with safety rails and stairs, overlooking a harbor with boats and a coastal town in the background
Industrial boat galley with stainless steel appliances and a 'Crew Only' door
Open-air ship bar with a marble counter and exposed steel framework, overlooking the harbor.
Empty ship galley with stainless steel counters and appliances along the back wall, viewed from a foreground area with blue wavy carpet.
Outdoor boat deck with a stainless bar counter under a covered area; railing along the water and modern buildings along a river in the background.
Industrial diesel engine in a metal enclosure with a control panel, gauges, and blue hoses.
Industrial engine room with control panels, cables, and metal walkways; foil-insulated walls and assorted machinery nearby.