SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — History was made today in San Diego. The first of its kind, all-electric tugboat, the eWolf, was officially christened on San Diego Bay Tuesday.

The eWolf will begin commercial service this week.

Instead of burning diesel fuel like other tugboats, the eWolf is the first all-electric powered harbor tugboat in the United States.

Operating with zero emissions and other sustainable technology, the eTug delivers high-power capability, safety and efficiency, the announcement said.

Maritime, energy and logistics solutions company, Crowley, christened the eWolf on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

Built by Master Boat Builders in Coden, Ala., the 82-foot vessel delivers 70 tons of bollard pull, which is stronger than the traditional tugboat.

Unlike tugboats that burn diesel fuel, the eTug uses a more environmentally friendly and sustainable power source, which will be charged at a station on the shore.

The eWolf is not only a game changer in sustainability, it’s also the most advanced technologically. It features next generation radar, sonar, and more.

The goal — to reduce pollution and improve the air quality for San Diego.

In the first 10 years of its use, the eWolf will reduce 2.5 tons of diesel fuel pollution and 3,100 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution compared to a conventional tugboat, according to Crowley.

Crowley was joined at the vessel christening by project partners including the Port of San Diego, San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Maritime Administration. 

“The eWolf is a historic milestone in the maritime industry and Crowley’s legacy, and underscores our company’s commitment to serve as global sustainability leaders and innovators. The all-electric tugboat is the most technologically advanced vessel of its kind, and eWolf will help our customers and communities reach their decarbonization goals while delivering capabilities that strengthen our vital supply chain,” said Tom Crowley, Chairman and CEO. “We congratulate the people whose tireless dedication brought the eWolf to fruition with our partners at the federal, state and local government, setting a new standard not just in America, but globally.”

At the christening, the vice president of Crowley said San Diego now has the most advanced and safest operating vessel ever built.

“Crowley’s first-of-its-kind electric tugboat is a game changer. It checks all the boxes by providing environmental, economic, and operational benefits for our communities and maritime industry,” said Frank Urtasun, Port of San Diego Chairman. “This is truly a story of teamwork and collaboration. We are proud to work with Crowley and our state and local partners on this and other electrification initiatives at and around our port, including electric cargo handling equipment like our all-electric mobile harbor cranes, our microgrid, vessel shore power, and more.”

The name was chosen as a nod to a tugboat in the company’s initial fleet, the Sea Wolf, which operated more than a century ago in California.

Dan Plante contributed to this report

By Danielle Allaire, Sara Clemence, Beth Demmon, Randy Dotinga, María José Durán, Leorah Gavidor, Cherie Gough, Mateo Hoke, Troy Johnson, Lili Kim, Marissa Kozma, Kai Oliver-kurtin, Nicolle Monico, Cole Novak, Amanda Parmele, Will Riddell, Amelia Rodriguez, Jay Smith, and Claire Trageser

A solar eclipse may have blocked out most of SD’s legendary sunlight a few months back, but our city is shining brighter than ever. Michelin bestowed a constellation of stars on our always-innovative food scene.

The city’s sports fever heated up, drawing two more pro teams to the landscape. Locals joined hands to pull a few beloved institutions from the brink (see Coop’s and The Harp). A mega revamp of a particular iconic North Park hotel beckoned hordes of visitors—and a gazillion international eyes. Even orcas want to live here.

And when disaster struck—catastrophic flooding, especially in the county’s most under-resourced areas—San Diegans came together to save and rebuild the lives of those impacted. Courageous residents helped rescue grandmas. GoFundMes got funded. Volunteers scooped away water and cleared debris.

Then, we kept pushing this place forward, creating community and starting small businesses and making more and more cool things. Here are over 100 of the coolest of them. Check ’em out, then go forth and make your own list. Or start your own thing. This town’s big enough for all of us.

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Moose Toys, a leading innovator in the toy industry, revealed their new collaboration with  MrBeast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson — the world’s most subscribed YouTuber and a dedicated philanthropist. The new line, MrBeast Lab, includes a range of small-scale collectibles along with action, vinyl, and collector’s figures. It is set to hit the U.S. market in July and expand globally through the fall, but attendees at San Diego Comic-Con will be able to get their hands on a SDCC exclusive, as well as limited edition items.

You can find Moose Toys at San Diego Comic-Con Booth #301, where they’ll be offering two MrBeast Lab items. The first is a 3.5″ tall San Diego Comic-Con exclusive MrBeast Lab Fuzzy Panther Vinyl Figure, which features a unique flocked texture, defined detailing, and display-ready packaging. It is limited to 3000, and will be available for $14.99.

The second item is a MrBeast Lab Alpha Panther Mutator, a limited-edition figure featuring an exclusive blue chrome finish, glow-in-the-dark crystals, and more than 20 points of articulation. The 5.5″ figure is part of the recent launch of MrBeast Lab Mutators, “the wildest experiment from the world of MrBeast Lab”, but it stands apart from the other figures in the line. This iteration was designed and styled to represent MrBeast’s iconic panther logo, and has a “completely new and elevated unboxing experience” in which the premium packaging touts “restricted access”. Fans will have to remove an exterior sleeve before unfolding the lab-themed box to unveil the limited edition Alpha Panther inside. Pick it up for $29.99 at San Diego Comic-Con and Walmart Collector Con only.