Earthrace

Earthrace is a 78 foot alternative fuel powered wave-piercing trimaran; part of a project to break the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a powerboat—and to do so using only renewable fuels.Harvard reference | Surname=Seiff| Given=Abby | Title=Fast Fueled | Journal=Popular Science | Volume=269 | Issue=6 | Year=2006 | Page=18]

The boat

The boat's engines are powered completely by a biodiesel fuel source. This fuel is derived mainly from animal fat, soybeans, or other forms of biodiesel fuel. The powerboat itself is a 78-foot dramatic-looking wave-piercing trimaran, designed by Craig Loomes Design Group Ltd, with two 540 hp Cummins Mercruiser diesel engines, fueled with 100% Biodiesel, and is made mostly of carbon composite. It cost $1.25 million, which was mostly funded by generous sponsors. When asked, "Regrets about the cost of it all?" Pete Bethune replied "No...You know, I do have the coolest boat in the world." [cite news|first=Erik|last=Lacitis|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003176794_weirdboat05m.html|title=Strange watercraft visits Seattle|work=The Seattle Times|date=2006-10-05|accessdate=2007-03-27]

The mission

Earthrace is intended to showcase environmentally friendly technologies such as biodiesel, low-emission engines, non-toxic antifouling paint and efficient hull design.

It aims to break the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a powerboat using only renewable fuels.

The current record of 74 days, 20 hours, 58 minutes was set by British boat "Cable & Wireless" in 1998.

2007 record attempt

The attempt originally departed from Barbados on March 10, 2007 but encountered significant delays including problems with the propellers and other mechanical problems.

A problem with an engine off Palau caused an 8-day delay because of the remoteness. [http://earthrace.net/index.php?action=view_article&id=34&module=articlemodule&src=%40random456b8bd73bbc2 Earthrace press release] , Press release, May 9 2007] On the night of March 19, 2007, while around 22km offshore from Guatemala, Earthrace collided with a local fishing boat. No Earthrace crew were hurt, but one of the three crew members from the fishing boat was killed. [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10429738 Earthrace chief in court over tragedy] , New Zealand Herald, March 20, 2007, 9:00AM ] The crew was absolved of any responsibility after a 10-day investigation during which they were held. [ [http://www.earthrace.net/index.php?action=view_article&id=62&module=articlemodule&src=%40random456b8bd73bbc2 Judge frees Earthrace Captain] , 28 March 2007, Earthrace Press Release] The delays prevented Earthrace from completing the circumnavigation in record time, but because Earthrace took an official start time when leaving San Diego, the team decided to "restart" with this new start/finish line. They departed San Diego on 7 April 2007 and needed to return by 21 June to break the record. However, the attempt was abandoned on 31 May 2007 after a crack was discovered in the hull shortly after leaving Malaga, Spain. [http://www.earthrace.net/index.php?action=view_article&id=39&module=articlemodule&src=%40random456b8bd73bbc2 Earthrace Forced to Abandon Record Attempt] , May 31, 2007 Press release]

2008 record attempt

After a refit at the [http://www.vulkanshipyard.com/ Vulkan Shipyard] at the Port of Sagunto near Valencia, Spain, followed by sea trials off the coast, a second attempt on the record began at 14:35 (CET) on April 27, 2008 [ [http://www.earthrace.net/index.php?section=65 Earthrace ] ] [ [http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4497145a7693.html Biofuelled boat ready to resume challenge - New Zealand news on Stuff.co.nz ] ] [ [http://www.mby.com/auto/newsdesk/20080316104952mbynews.html Earthrace will be at British Motor Show ] ] .

The route for the second world record attempt and estimated time for each leg was as follows:

*Sagunto, Spain – Azores: 3 days
*Azores - Puerto Rico: 3 days
*Puerto Rico - Panama: 3 days
*Panama Manzanillo (Mexico): 3 days
*Manzanillo - San Diego: 3 days.
*San Diego - Hawaii: 5 days
*Hawaii - Majuro (Marshall Islands): 5 days
*Majuro - Koror (Palau): 5 days
*Palau - Singapore: 5 days
*Singapore - Cochin (India): 5 days
*Cochin - Salalah (Oman): 4 days
*Salalah - Suez Canal (Egypt): 4 days
*Suez Canal - Sagunto (Spain): 4 days The boat experienced problems with the autopilot two days after departure, and then on April 30 the lift pump of the starboard engine became blocked. However, although some time was lost, the boat arrived at the Azores slightly ahead of schedule for the world record attempt and with all technical problems apparently solved.

The next two legs went without any major problems and the crew managed to bypass a big backlog of ships in the Panama Canal. On day 22 about half way to Hawaii, a severe vibration caused them to stop and after skipper, Pete Bethune, went under the boat in the dark with a torch, it was discovered that some nylon netting had got entangled in the one prop and had to be removed.

Shortly after leaving Palau on day 34, Earthrace struck submerged debris which sheared two blades off the port propeller and bent the drive shaft. This necessitated a return to Palau in order to assess the damage and remove the prop. The boat then continued to Singapore on one engine, while a plans were set in motion to manufacture a new drive shaft and obtain another propeller. Once in Singapore, Earthrace was hoisted from the water in a sling and repairs were effected on the dockside in record time.

On day 48 the crew were really suffering from the heat and high humidity and were all affected by heat rash. At this time they had also encountered monsoon weather and their speed was much reduced due to mountainous waves. The heavy seas continued all the way to Oman and beyond before entering the Red Sea. During this stretch the boat's transponder was damaged and the marine tracker stopped working.

On day 56 en route to Port Suez the lift pump started giving trouble, limiting their speed to 16 knots. This entailed a three hour job to change it.

On Friday June 27, 2008 Earthrace set a new world record when it crossed the finish line at 14:24 CET at Sagunto, Spain after completing the circumnavigation in just 60 days 23 hours and 49 minutes. This means that the record set by the Cable and Wireless Adventurer (now the Ocean 7 Adventurer) in 1998 was beaten by 13 days 21 hours and 9 minutes.

External links

*official|http://www.earthrace.net
** [http://www.earthrace.net/index.php?section=46 Earthrace's press releases]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/vangool/ Photos of Earthrace in San Francisco Bay]
* [http://flickr.com/photos/the5kgarden/sets/72157602289557486/ 2007 Attempt: San Diego to Maui]

References