Earthrace tangles with fishing net
Hawaii, USA --12th April 2007--At approximately 4pm yesterday
afternoon, Earthrace became entangled with some old ropes and fishing
net as she made here way Westwards towards Hawaii.
According to Earthrace Captain Pete Bethune, there was a sudden
series of vibrations, and on stopping, a trail of ropes could be seen
dangling behind the stern of Earthrace. The crew dived underneath
the hull to cut away sections of rope that were wrapped in a tight
ball around the 3-inch shaft and propeller. Bethune says the debris
looks like an accumulation of lots of old bits of fishing gear, and
judging by the amount of algal growth, it has probably been floating
around for years.
A total of around 15 minutes time was lost in removing the debris
from the starboard propeller, and Earthrace is now safely on her way
back towards Hawaii. She is expected to arrive in Maalaea on the
Island of Maui at around 5pm today, local time.
On arrival, Earthrace will be refueled with B100 biodiesel, plus she
will also undergo maintenance. Earthrace Engineer Scott Fratcher
says it is most important they fix a vibration that has hampered the
boat for some time. As soon as that is repaired, Earthrace will
leave for Majuro, in the Marshall Islands, on the next leg of her
round the world speed record attempt.
Press release ends.
Earthrace tangles with fishing net
Hawaii, USA --12th April 2007--At approximately 4pm yesterday
afternoon, Earthrace became entangled with some old ropes and fishing
net as she made here way Westwards towards Hawaii.
According to Earthrace Captain Pete Bethune, there was a sudden
series of vibrations, and on stopping, a trail of ropes could be seen
dangling behind the stern of Earthrace. The crew dived underneath
the hull to cut away sections of rope that were wrapped in a tight
ball around the 3-inch shaft and propeller. Bethune says the debris
looks like an accumulation of lots of old bits of fishing gear, and
judging by the amount of algal growth, it has probably been floating
around for years.
A total of around 15 minutes time was lost in removing the debris
from the starboard propeller, and Earthrace is now safely on her way
back towards Hawaii. She is expected to arrive in Maalaea on the
Island of Maui at around 5pm today, local time.
On arrival, Earthrace will be refueled with B100 biodiesel, plus she
will also undergo maintenance. Earthrace Engineer Scott Fratcher
says it is most important they fix a vibration that has hampered the
boat for some time. As soon as that is repaired, Earthrace will
leave for Majuro, in the Marshall Islands, on the next leg of her
round the world speed record attempt.
Press release ends.
