It’s been an exciting month as we’ve seen green transportation records set on the ground and in the sky, so naturally we are taking the next step and bringing you to the sea with the Earthrace, a 78 ft tri-hull “wavepiercer”. The biodiesel boat recently completed a carbon-neutral tour of the globe in an incredible 60 days and 23 hours, besting the previous world record by 14 days!
The Earthrace, Skippered by Pete Bethune and powered by 100% bio-fuel looks like it may be more at home cruising amongst the stars than amongst the waves.
According to Bethune “Earthrace’s success has proved that any form of transport, including marine, can be non-damaging to the environment as well as being high performance.” In accordance with this statement, CO2 emissions were calculated and offsets were purchased to bring it down to a carbon neutral level.
But it’s not just the fuel that was green. Sustainability permeates many facets of the Earthrace and her team. For the first time in a boat hemp composites were used in the construction, while vegetable and canola oils were used for lubricants and foams for the bedding. Special filters were also used to clean the bilge water of any oil or hydrocarbons. For Pete and his team “it is not just about running the right fuel… it is about all the things you do… and by thinking a little about it, and taking small steps in the right direction, you can make a big difference.”
HOW FAST IS IT
I have seen this monster while we were in Papeete, in november. I thought I was having a nigthmare! Fantastic I would love to go around with it. Hope you come to Brasil some day. See you congratulations.
I am working on a similar project but utilizing electric drives and ultra capacitor ,lithium ion batteries, compressed air bladless turbine generators,sky sails. hydrogen from water, and wave piercing design by Nigel Irens ,and other new technical breakthroughs to do the same thing only using no fuels and running non stop needing no refueling breaking the 60 day record I am hope to get some additional backing in order to finish this project but with the economy as it is I may have to delay a little longer but I will accomplish this even if I have to go it alone it will just take a little more time. It is exciting ,interesting and wonderful times we live in.
Watched a special on Nat. Geo. about this boat. Very cool
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It only took Ellen Macarthur 71 day to sail around the world. I would have said that is far greener than burning any type of fuel. Ok, her boat was not manufactured “green” but that was not the brief then, but if her boat could be replicated from sustainable materials then that would be a far more impressive feat.
This looks like something out of Star Trek ~ Sweet design!
My claim to fame is that i have been on this boat. And also, GO NEW ZEALAND!
It’s an incredible looking boat – especially in the first picture.