EarthRace – this New Zealand-built and owned boat is one of its kind. It’s a specially design boat that uses 100% bio-diesel, an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative, for its fuel. Its mission was to spread awareness around the world on the use of environmentally sustainable fuel sources and alternatives, and also to attempt to break the world record in circumnavigating the globe. That it surely did, but not without much trouble.
It first attempted to break the world record for circumnavigating the globe in 2007. It encountered a lot of drama on its first attempt which included :
- engine problems in Palau, where they had to divert to Singapore and quickly get it fixed
- encounters with the Colombian and Nicaraguan navy where they were chased and guns were fired at them
- hitting a small fishing vessel in Guatemala which caused the crew to be detained in prison for 9 days
- facing 3 huge storms in the Mediterranean
- lack of sponsorship and funds to proceed with its journey
But these setbacks didn’t deter the skipper, Pete Bethune, who spent nearly his entire fortune just to get this boat built and promote environmentally sustainable fuel sources. He was driven by a mindset of success and didn’t give up his dream of beating the world record for the fastest boat to circumnavigate the globe. They beat the record by over 2 weeks, finishing the journey in 60 days, 23 hours and 49 minutes on 27 June 2008.
I had the privilege to attend the launch of the EarthRace tour in Sydney and go inside the boat itself. From the outside, it looks very impressive, but the insides were just a squeeze! They had such tight spaces and because they try to be environmentally friendly, they didn’t have any airconditioning inside the boat! During the launch, I heard the skipper narrate his adventures and misadventures around the world, and I have to say that it was very inspirational. He was able to tour 100 cities in more than 50 countries across the globe. It has inspired me to go for my dreams of covering the globe and seeing at least 1 new country each year (more would be better!). If you want to help our planet and promote environmentally sustainable fuel source AND support this cause, go to their website: www.earthrace.net
Here are some more photos of the EarthRace:
steps into the boat:
The sound system:
The captain’s seat:
The entrance to the main cabin:
I hope you enjoyed a brief tour of the EarthRace and support its worthy cause! Til the next journey…
Authors bio is coming up shortly.
I saw Earthrace at Batemans Bay on Friday and it certainly is the coolest boat in the world as well as the fastest around the globe obviously – and it runs on biodiesel. I read that Pete extracted his own fat to manufacture (in his own kitchen) biodiesel from human fat! Ouch.
I love his approach to life – a real down to earth can do approach.