Earthrace
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 |
|
| Career (NZ) |  |
|---|---|
| Laid down: | January 2005 |
| Launched: | February 22, 2006 |
| Fate: | active in service |
| Notes: | Constructed of Carbon, Kevlar composites, Air intakes at top of wings, windscreen is 17mm laminated toughened glass |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 13 ton |
| Length: | 24 m (78 ft) |
| Beam: | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Draught: | 1.3 m (4f t) |
| Propulsion: | 2 x 350 kW (540 hp) Cummins Mercruiser running on 100% B100 Biodiesel, Gearboxes: ZF 305A (single speed) |
| Speed: | 45 knots (90 km/h) |
| Range: | 3000 nm (6000 km) from 10,000 litres (2500 imperial gallons) of fuel capacity |
| Complement: | 4 |
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.[1]
Contents |
[edit] The boat
The boat's engines are powered completely by a biodiesel fuel source[1]. This fuel is derived mainly from animal fat, soybeans, or other forms of biodiesel fuel[1]. 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."[2]
[edit] The mission
Earthrace is intended to showcase environmentally friendly technologies such as biodeisel, 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.[1]
The current record of 74 days, 20 hours, 58 minutes was set by British boat "Cable & Wireless" in 1998.
[edit] 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.[3] 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.[4] The crew was absolved of any responsibility after a 10-day investigation during which they were held.[5] 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. [3] However, the attempt was abandoned on 31 May 2007 after a crack was discovered in the hull shortly after leaving Malaga, Spain. [6]
[edit] 2008 record attempt
After a refit and sea trials in the Vulkan shipyards at the Port of Sagunto near Valencia, Spain, a second attempt on the record started on 27 April 2008[1][2][3].
The boat experienced problems with the autopilot two days later, and then on 30 April the lift pump of the starboard engine 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.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Seiff, Abby (2006), "Fast Fueled", Popular Science 269 (6): 18
- ^ Lacitis, Erik. "Strange watercraft visits Seattle", The Seattle Times, 2006-10-05. Retrieved on 2007-03-27.
- ^ a b Earthrace press release, Press release, May 9 2007
- ^ Earthrace chief in court over tragedy, New Zealand Herald, March 20, 2007, 9:00AM
- ^ Judge frees Earthrace Captain, 28 March 2007, Earthrace Press Release
- ^ Earthrace Forced to Abandon Record Attempt, May 31, 2007 Press release
