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Author Topic:   EarthRace--Wave Piercing Hull

jimh posted 02-27-2007 05:08 PM ET (US)
No--It is not the latest from Boston Whaler. It's a Wave Piercing Hull designed for a global demonstration run, a trip around the world. This machine is designed to go through the waves, not up and over them.
The high-resolution wave piercing simulation is interesting to watch, but it takes a lot of bandwidth. It is an 8.5-MB file; it also has an audio track.

There are some eco-politics mixed into the boat's promotion, but the hull design is certainly interesting. Perhaps if we leave the eco-politics aside, we could at least marvel at the technology.
[ASIDE: I saw this a couple of weeks ago and I was going to use it for an April Fool's article, but it seemed to be attracting too much attention and I had to abandon that gag.--jimh]
More information on the website:
www.earthrace.net

Loafer posted 02-27-2007 05:41 PM ET (US)
I wonder how the crew feels after busting through waves for 16 hours. No thanks.
L.
doobee posted 02-27-2007 06:45 PM ET (US)
That looks exactly like a boat I sketched during a particularly boring college class.... back in 1986. Come to think of it the guy next to me kept looking at my "notes"....hey! :)
My understanding is that the thing actually punches through the waves instead of going over.
Wheaven posted 02-27-2007 06:58 PM ET (US)
JMARTIN they are planning to completly run this race on B-100 (100% pure biodiesel).
jimh posted 02-27-2007 07:26 PM ET (US)
My supposition (a fancy word for "guess") is the crew feels slightly better going through the waves than they would feel if they went up and over them. Or at least that is the basis for the design.
I have spent most of the last two hours watching the video blogs. I am only through the construction phase so far. They are quite interesting.
There is a lot of talk about the fund raising needed. The project seems to have lacked one big underwriter--where was Bill Gates when they started this?
tomol posted 02-27-2007 07:33 PM ET (US)
It'll be interesting to see it actually perform in seas the size shown in the simulation. I wonder if it'll dive through the waves like it shows or launch itself over them. It is, after all, full of air, and it appears to ride pretty high in the water in the picture.
If it does pierce the waves as well as anticipated, I can't imagine the lateral and twisting forces it would have to endure in the real world of combined seas over and over and over.
That said, if it works as advertised how do I get a sea trial?
David Pendleton posted 02-27-2007 07:36 PM ET (US)
Somewhere on the internet are pictures of the interior living spaces (if you can call them that).
It wasn't exactly comfortably appointed.
It actually reminded me of the below-decks of a 12-meter racing yacht.
I can't imagine spending more than a few hours in it, much less the long periods of time these folks are enduring.
jimh posted 02-27-2007 07:59 PM ET (US)
I think this wave-piercing design works best when you take the waves head-on, and in other sea directions it might be a bit more "interesting" to see the way it behaves. But even with a classic Boston Whaler moderate V-hull design, there are certain angles of attack on waves which produce some rather uncomfortable rides.
JMARTIN posted 02-27-2007 08:05 PM ET (US)
I built a 8 foot, 3 point hydroplane in high school wood shop. It was wave piercing also. The problem was, it would only pierce one wave and then the fuel tank would float away. John
PS It would also do a pretty nice 1/2 barrel roll and had a tendency to sink if you left it unattended for an hour.
Chuck Tribolet posted 02-27-2007 08:31 PM ET (US)
The Aussies have been building wave piercing power catamarans
for years.

Chuck
Chap posted 02-27-2007 08:35 PM ET (US)
Glad to see your still around Doobee, hope all is well.
Interesting boat.
towboater posted 02-27-2007 10:04 PM ET (US)
Why bother with wave piercing?
Ahh, just build a rocket with snorkels...
OK, I "suppose" that would that qualify it as a submarine.
That thing looks like a 59 Cad that spent a month in Jessie James Monster Garage for a James Bond movie.
Real handy around the Marinas.
yeah, The gangway must open up & fold out like a Ferrari door.
Nice tattoo on the forepeak. Oem or custom?
Whatever happened to the bare breasted Mermaids?
Hey Tom, what would you say the "SLIP %" is on that thang?
April fools huhh Jim?
Like, BW introduces a new smirk for 08?
Ok fella, cats' outa the bag.
mk
jimh posted 02-27-2007 10:28 PM ET (US)
I have watched quite a bit of the video blogs. I found out what the crazy vertical tail wings are for. At first I thought they were rather dumb appendages, but they are functional. They keep the engine air intakes above water when the vessel penetrates a wave!
The boat is running on a pair of Mercruiser diesel engines--wonder if they were donated.
At one point they have to shut down in the middle of the Pacific due to a fuel system problem. Then they have to re-prime and bleed the whole fuel system. That could be a little bit harry. Imagine sitting there about 3,000 miles from land and having only just your battery bank to crank the engine over for a minute or two. If the engine does not start your are in a serious situation, eh? It is not like you could plug in a battery charger and try again tomorrow.
jimh posted 02-28-2007 09:03 AM ET (US)
The EARTHRACE is powered by a pair of 540-HP Cummins Mercuiser diesel engines and can reach 45-knots (51.75-MPH). It weights 10-tons. I put this data into my Crouch's Speed Calculator to deduce the hull factor:
Weight = 20,000
Power = 1,080-HP
Speed = 51.75-MPH
Hull Factor = 222.5
http://continuouswave.com/cgi-bin/crouchcalc.pl
jimh posted 02-28-2007 09:31 AM ET (US)
The vessel EARTHRACE does share one important feature with a classic Boston Whaler: both hulls are foam-cored laminated structures. The EARTHRACE is built with laminates of carbon-fiber, E-glass, and Kevlar over a high-density foam core.
The EARTHRACE wave-piercing trimaran was designed by Craig Loomes Design Group Limited of New Zealand. Their website has more information and pictures of the vessel.
http://www.cld.co.nz/
The hull was built by Calibre Boats New Zealand Ltd. Their website also has a few photographs of the boat, but unfortunately not too much detail of the construction.
http://www.calibreboats.com/launched.html
The video blogs on the Earthrace website show the boat being built. The hull was constructed in two half-sections, split down the centerline. The two halves were pulled together and laminated into a single structure.
elaelap posted 02-28-2007 12:18 PM ET (US)
DOOBEE! Man oh man, where ya been all this time (and why did it take this strange boat to bring you back)?
For those who weren't here or don't remember, about four years ago CW member doobee posted what I still think is the single wittiest, most brilliant comment I've ever seen at this website. Another member was describing a near-miss run-in he had recently had with a pod of whales...in his Whaler. The guy had unwittingly cruised through a bunch of them, narrowly missing ramming one. Doobee's unforgetable comment: "They still sing songs about you."
Welcome back from wherever you've been, doob. More of the same, please.
Tony
DillonBW posted 02-28-2007 02:58 PM ET (US)
I saw this in Downtown Wilmington NC
Spoke with the guys for a good while. Very interesting vessal and operators. Didn't get a ride in it tho' almost did.
Si
Wheaven posted 03-01-2007 12:52 AM ET (US)
The last stop before this historical event was made in my Caribbean island of Puerto Rico where I got to meet them. I'll say they are genuine and real people behind a good cause. This thing really glides on water which will make it easier for them inside this confine enviroment.
Above are some photos of my friends Mateo (blue long sleeve shirt), Kiko (co-owner of Bio Diesel & Fuels de Puerto Rico), my 15 SS Whaler and me (white polo shirt & red/black shorts) placing the BD&FPR signs on Earthrace after providing a full tank of the hopefull liquid (100% pure biodiesel)as part of a sponsorship agreement. Other fuelings are schedueled:
Barbados March 9 Sponsorships Sold 2/2 Fuel: BioDiesel and Fuels de Puerto Rico (sponsored)
Dock: Port St. Charles

Panama March 11 Sponsorships Sold 1/2 Fuel: BioDiesel and Fuels de Puerto Rico (sponsored)
Dock: Shelter Bay

If they accomplish their mission, they will be back here to celebrate big on the happiest place on earth (according to surveys, no joke :) ), San Juan, Puerto Rico. You are all welcome to join us in this historical event.
Celebration Party:
San Juan, Puerto Rico aprox. 74 days from today Fuel: Beer and Rum (all you can drink untill it last) :)
Dock: San Juan Bay
I'll keep you posted;
Luigi
jimh posted 02-28-2007 10:03 PM ET (US)
These images from Diesel Power magazine article on the EARTHRACE.
NAVMAN electronics and SmartCraft Instrumentation
How about that for a fuel filter system! Supplied by RACOR, a sponsor.
BEP Electricals, also a sponsor.
reelescape1 posted 03-02-2007 10:43 AM ET (US)
I saw this in Charleston, SC Feb 2007. What an awsome machine!!
jimh posted 03-17-2007 03:29 PM ET (US)
The race has started and the crew is having a few problems already. First things to go were the propellers. The composite propellers started to disintegrate on the first leg of the race, and new propellers had to be put on. Next, one of the engines has just developed a big oil leak at an oil cooler. They are working on it with JB Weld.
The race is to get around the world in less than 75 days, so the next several months should provide some interesting vicarious boating for all of us. I recommend checking on the website and the Captain's Blog section every few days to stay abreast of the boat's progress.
Just like our Boston Whaler boats, the right propeller makes all the difference.
JohnL posted 03-19-2007 12:09 PM ET (US)
Looks like they "ran into" another problem, this time a fisherman lost his life.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/i-tried-to-save-him-earthrace-skipper/2007/03/19/1174152933869.html
Sad that this had to happen I think this was a great Idea.
John L.
Livingwater posted 03-19-2007 12:33 PM ET (US)
Being mostly carbon composite I wonder if the Earthrace vessel was stealth to other vessel radar?
The latest story on the crash is very sad.
jimh posted 03-19-2007 11:00 PM ET (US)
Thanks for that excellent pointer to the news article. I tried to find more information, but that article was by far the best.
Wow--this death at sea really has put the Earthrace vessel into a tough situation. I feel sorry for the organizers of the event, and, of course, for the fisherman who was killed.
The skipper of EARTHRACE has spent the last three years working on this, and he must be in a very strange state of mind at the moment. But he seems like a very intense fellow. I think if he can resume the race in any way, he probably will.
I hope the Guatemalan court conducts a fair inquiry. Considering that the boat is from New Zealand, my guess is they'll get a fair hearing. If the boat were from the United States, I have to wonder if they boat and crew would get the same treatment. There is a lot of resentment toward the United States around the world. I don't think there is that sort of feeling toward New Zealand.
On the other hand, a local guy killed by a $3,000,000 yacht running him down--that may be a tough situation to be in for the yachtsmen.
elaelap posted 03-20-2007 09:17 AM ET (US)
"That thing looks like a 59 Cad that spent a month in Jessie James Monster Garage for a James Bond movie."
--Michael/towboater! ;-)
Talk about feeling left behind, realizing I've never crossed Al Gore's 'bridge to the 21st century'--I'm shopping for an old clunker overbuilt full keel ten ton passage-making sailboat right now, and planning for a lengthy voyage where a five knot average speed will be a decent day's run.
Tuco
jimh posted 03-22-2007 07:41 AM ET (US)
A press release was recently posted on the Earthrace website concerning the collision at sea:
http://www.earthrace.net/index.php?action=view_article&id=24& module=articlemodule&src=%40random456b8bd73bbc2
jimh posted 03-27-2007 09:00 PM ET (US)
The EARTHRACE vessel and captain have just been cleared of criminal charges in the accidental collision at sea with an unlighted Guatemalan fishing vessel, and, after being under "boat-arrest" at a Guatemalan naval base in Puerto Quetzal since Sunday, March 18th, they are free to leave and resume their around-the-world race against time.
The impoundment of the vessel and crew at a Guatemalan naval base has made for a very strange week. With the amazing modern world of communications--the internet, cellular telephones, and satellite telephones--the crew has been in contact with their friends and supporters. They've been posting web blogs and updates on their website. I just heard a recording of a telephone conversation between the captain and a broadcast station in New Zealand which occurred right after the final court appearance which found them free of criminal charges. These are all strange new artifacts of our global internet village. None of this would have been remotely possible a decade ago.
Go back a few years and they might have just disappeared into the oblivion of the Guatemalan legal system and never have been heard from again. No doubt the world-wide interest in their fate has played a role in the outcome. The minute-by-minute updates on the website of what was happening perhaps made some influence on how the situation was handled.
In any event, the boat should soon be back at sea and underway. I wish them a better passage on their next leg. Their bad luck should all be out of the way after this. Their story is quite interesting, and I find myself drawn into it on a daily--hourly--basis.
jimh posted 03-28-2007 11:07 AM ET (US)
According to their position tracker, EARTHRACE is back at sea. No new updates on the website.
There is a Boston Whaler angle to this story. Here is a photograph of the boat under guard at a Guatemalan Naval Base. Note the vessel in the background:
http://www.sail-world.com/photos/med_under_guard_2.jpg
jimh posted 04-26-2007 11:47 AM ET (US)
I have been following EARTHRACE and it has been a very interesting story. They've had their share of problems.Their diesel engines from Cummins have been quite impressive, but after thousands of miles of racing, it appears they have lost compression in one cylinder. They have been getting fantastic support from Cummins, and often in very remote places. The global support network for Cummins has been a great asset.
EARTHRACE is currently in Palau, and we are all waiting to hear how the saga continues from here. For those of us up North where the boating season still has not started, the EARTHRACE story has been a great read.
Wheaven posted 05-03-2007 01:42 PM ET (US)
This is a good link where you can see videos of the Earthrace navigating and photos.
http://especiales.primerahora.com/ciclonearthrace/
Wheaven posted 05-03-2007 01:45 PM ET (US)
http://especiales.primerahora.com/ciclonearthrace/
20dauntless posted 05-31-2007 10:18 PM ET (US)
The team just announced that they are ending their record attempt.

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Author	Topic: EarthRace--Wave Piercing Hull
jimh	posted 02-27-2007 05:08 PM ET (US) No--It is not the latest from Boston Whaler. It's a Wave Piercing Hull designed for a global demonstration run, a trip around the world. This machine is designed to go through the waves, not up and over them. The high-resolution wave piercing simulation is interesting to watch, but it takes a lot of bandwidth. It is an 8.5-MB file; it also has an audio track. There are some eco-politics mixed into the boat's promotion, but the hull design is certainly interesting. Perhaps if we leave the eco-politics aside, we could at least marvel at the technology. [ASIDE: I saw this a couple of weeks ago and I was going to use it for an April Fool's article, but it seemed to be attracting too much attention and I had to abandon that gag.--jimh] More information on the website: www.earthrace.net
Loafer	posted 02-27-2007 05:41 PM ET (US) I wonder how the crew feels after busting through waves for 16 hours. No thanks. L.
doobee	posted 02-27-2007 06:45 PM ET (US) That looks exactly like a boat I sketched during a particularly boring college class.... back in 1986. Come to think of it the guy next to me kept looking at my "notes"....hey! :) My understanding is that the thing actually punches through the waves instead of going over.
Wheaven	posted 02-27-2007 06:58 PM ET (US) JMARTIN they are planning to completly run this race on B-100 (100% pure biodiesel).
jimh	posted 02-27-2007 07:26 PM ET (US) My supposition (a fancy word for "guess") is the crew feels slightly better going through the waves than they would feel if they went up and over them. Or at least that is the basis for the design. I have spent most of the last two hours watching the video blogs. I am only through the construction phase so far. They are quite interesting. There is a lot of talk about the fund raising needed. The project seems to have lacked one big underwriter--where was Bill Gates when they started this?
tomol	posted 02-27-2007 07:33 PM ET (US) It'll be interesting to see it actually perform in seas the size shown in the simulation. I wonder if it'll dive through the waves like it shows or launch itself over them. It is, after all, full of air, and it appears to ride pretty high in the water in the picture. If it does pierce the waves as well as anticipated, I can't imagine the lateral and twisting forces it would have to endure in the real world of combined seas over and over and over. That said, if it works as advertised how do I get a sea trial?
David Pendleton	posted 02-27-2007 07:36 PM ET (US) Somewhere on the internet are pictures of the interior living spaces (if you can call them that). It wasn't exactly comfortably appointed. It actually reminded me of the below-decks of a 12-meter racing yacht. I can't imagine spending more than a few hours in it, much less the long periods of time these folks are enduring.
jimh	posted 02-27-2007 07:59 PM ET (US) I think this wave-piercing design works best when you take the waves head-on, and in other sea directions it might be a bit more "interesting" to see the way it behaves. But even with a classic Boston Whaler moderate V-hull design, there are certain angles of attack on waves which produce some rather uncomfortable rides.
JMARTIN	posted 02-27-2007 08:05 PM ET (US) I built a 8 foot, 3 point hydroplane in high school wood shop. It was wave piercing also. The problem was, it would only pierce one wave and then the fuel tank would float away. John PS It would also do a pretty nice 1/2 barrel roll and had a tendency to sink if you left it unattended for an hour.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 02-27-2007 08:31 PM ET (US) The Aussies have been building wave piercing power catamarans for years. Chuck
Chap	posted 02-27-2007 08:35 PM ET (US) Glad to see your still around Doobee, hope all is well. Interesting boat.
towboater	posted 02-27-2007 10:04 PM ET (US) Why bother with wave piercing? Ahh, just build a rocket with snorkels... OK, I "suppose" that would that qualify it as a submarine. That thing looks like a 59 Cad that spent a month in Jessie James Monster Garage for a James Bond movie. Real handy around the Marinas. yeah, The gangway must open up & fold out like a Ferrari door. Nice tattoo on the forepeak. Oem or custom? Whatever happened to the bare breasted Mermaids? Hey Tom, what would you say the "SLIP %" is on that thang? April fools huhh Jim? Like, BW introduces a new smirk for 08? Ok fella, cats' outa the bag. mk
jimh	posted 02-27-2007 10:28 PM ET (US) I have watched quite a bit of the video blogs. I found out what the crazy vertical tail wings are for. At first I thought they were rather dumb appendages, but they are functional. They keep the engine air intakes above water when the vessel penetrates a wave! The boat is running on a pair of Mercruiser diesel engines--wonder if they were donated. At one point they have to shut down in the middle of the Pacific due to a fuel system problem. Then they have to re-prime and bleed the whole fuel system. That could be a little bit harry. Imagine sitting there about 3,000 miles from land and having only just your battery bank to crank the engine over for a minute or two. If the engine does not start your are in a serious situation, eh? It is not like you could plug in a battery charger and try again tomorrow.
jimh	posted 02-28-2007 09:03 AM ET (US) The EARTHRACE is powered by a pair of 540-HP Cummins Mercuiser diesel engines and can reach 45-knots (51.75-MPH). It weights 10-tons. I put this data into my Crouch's Speed Calculator to deduce the hull factor: Weight = 20,000 Power = 1,080-HP Speed = 51.75-MPH Hull Factor = 222.5 http://continuouswave.com/cgi-bin/crouchcalc.pl
jimh	posted 02-28-2007 09:31 AM ET (US) The vessel EARTHRACE does share one important feature with a classic Boston Whaler: both hulls are foam-cored laminated structures. The EARTHRACE is built with laminates of carbon-fiber, E-glass, and Kevlar over a high-density foam core. The EARTHRACE wave-piercing trimaran was designed by Craig Loomes Design Group Limited of New Zealand. Their website has more information and pictures of the vessel. http://www.cld.co.nz/ The hull was built by Calibre Boats New Zealand Ltd. Their website also has a few photographs of the boat, but unfortunately not too much detail of the construction. http://www.calibreboats.com/launched.html The video blogs on the Earthrace website show the boat being built. The hull was constructed in two half-sections, split down the centerline. The two halves were pulled together and laminated into a single structure.
elaelap	posted 02-28-2007 12:18 PM ET (US) DOOBEE! Man oh man, where ya been all this time (and why did it take this strange boat to bring you back)? For those who weren't here or don't remember, about four years ago CW member doobee posted what I still think is the single wittiest, most brilliant comment I've ever seen at this website. Another member was describing a near-miss run-in he had recently had with a pod of whales...in his Whaler. The guy had unwittingly cruised through a bunch of them, narrowly missing ramming one. Doobee's unforgetable comment: "They still sing songs about you." Welcome back from wherever you've been, doob. More of the same, please. Tony
DillonBW	posted 02-28-2007 02:58 PM ET (US) I saw this in Downtown Wilmington NC Spoke with the guys for a good while. Very interesting vessal and operators. Didn't get a ride in it tho' almost did. Si
Wheaven	posted 03-01-2007 12:52 AM ET (US) The last stop before this historical event was made in my Caribbean island of Puerto Rico where I got to meet them. I'll say they are genuine and real people behind a good cause. This thing really glides on water which will make it easier for them inside this confine enviroment. Above are some photos of my friends Mateo (blue long sleeve shirt), Kiko (co-owner of Bio Diesel & Fuels de Puerto Rico), my 15 SS Whaler and me (white polo shirt & red/black shorts) placing the BD&FPR signs on Earthrace after providing a full tank of the hopefull liquid (100% pure biodiesel)as part of a sponsorship agreement. Other fuelings are schedueled: Barbados March 9 Sponsorships Sold 2/2 Fuel: BioDiesel and Fuels de Puerto Rico (sponsored) Dock: Port St. Charles Panama March 11 Sponsorships Sold 1/2 Fuel: BioDiesel and Fuels de Puerto Rico (sponsored) Dock: Shelter Bay If they accomplish their mission, they will be back here to celebrate big on the happiest place on earth (according to surveys, no joke :) ), San Juan, Puerto Rico. You are all welcome to join us in this historical event. Celebration Party: San Juan, Puerto Rico aprox. 74 days from today Fuel: Beer and Rum (all you can drink untill it last) :) Dock: San Juan Bay I'll keep you posted; Luigi
jimh	posted 02-28-2007 10:03 PM ET (US) These images from Diesel Power magazine article on the EARTHRACE. NAVMAN electronics and SmartCraft Instrumentation How about that for a fuel filter system! Supplied by RACOR, a sponsor. BEP Electricals, also a sponsor.
reelescape1	posted 03-02-2007 10:43 AM ET (US) I saw this in Charleston, SC Feb 2007. What an awsome machine!!
jimh	posted 03-17-2007 03:29 PM ET (US) The race has started and the crew is having a few problems already. First things to go were the propellers. The composite propellers started to disintegrate on the first leg of the race, and new propellers had to be put on. Next, one of the engines has just developed a big oil leak at an oil cooler. They are working on it with JB Weld. The race is to get around the world in less than 75 days, so the next several months should provide some interesting vicarious boating for all of us. I recommend checking on the website and the Captain's Blog section every few days to stay abreast of the boat's progress. Just like our Boston Whaler boats, the right propeller makes all the difference.
JohnL	posted 03-19-2007 12:09 PM ET (US) Looks like they "ran into" another problem, this time a fisherman lost his life. http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/i-tried-to-save-him-earthrace-skipper/2007/03/19/1174152933869.html Sad that this had to happen I think this was a great Idea. John L.
Livingwater	posted 03-19-2007 12:33 PM ET (US) Being mostly carbon composite I wonder if the Earthrace vessel was stealth to other vessel radar? The latest story on the crash is very sad.
jimh	posted 03-19-2007 11:00 PM ET (US) Thanks for that excellent pointer to the news article. I tried to find more information, but that article was by far the best. Wow--this death at sea really has put the Earthrace vessel into a tough situation. I feel sorry for the organizers of the event, and, of course, for the fisherman who was killed. The skipper of EARTHRACE has spent the last three years working on this, and he must be in a very strange state of mind at the moment. But he seems like a very intense fellow. I think if he can resume the race in any way, he probably will. I hope the Guatemalan court conducts a fair inquiry. Considering that the boat is from New Zealand, my guess is they'll get a fair hearing. If the boat were from the United States, I have to wonder if they boat and crew would get the same treatment. There is a lot of resentment toward the United States around the world. I don't think there is that sort of feeling toward New Zealand. On the other hand, a local guy killed by a $3,000,000 yacht running him down--that may be a tough situation to be in for the yachtsmen.
elaelap	posted 03-20-2007 09:17 AM ET (US) "That thing looks like a 59 Cad that spent a month in Jessie James Monster Garage for a James Bond movie." --Michael/towboater! ;-) Talk about feeling left behind, realizing I've never crossed Al Gore's 'bridge to the 21st century'--I'm shopping for an old clunker overbuilt full keel ten ton passage-making sailboat right now, and planning for a lengthy voyage where a five knot average speed will be a decent day's run. Tuco
jimh	posted 03-22-2007 07:41 AM ET (US) A press release was recently posted on the Earthrace website concerning the collision at sea: http://www.earthrace.net/index.php?action=view_article&id=24& module=articlemodule&src=%40random456b8bd73bbc2
jimh	posted 03-27-2007 09:00 PM ET (US) The EARTHRACE vessel and captain have just been cleared of criminal charges in the accidental collision at sea with an unlighted Guatemalan fishing vessel, and, after being under "boat-arrest" at a Guatemalan naval base in Puerto Quetzal since Sunday, March 18th, they are free to leave and resume their around-the-world race against time. The impoundment of the vessel and crew at a Guatemalan naval base has made for a very strange week. With the amazing modern world of communications--the internet, cellular telephones, and satellite telephones--the crew has been in contact with their friends and supporters. They've been posting web blogs and updates on their website. I just heard a recording of a telephone conversation between the captain and a broadcast station in New Zealand which occurred right after the final court appearance which found them free of criminal charges. These are all strange new artifacts of our global internet village. None of this would have been remotely possible a decade ago. Go back a few years and they might have just disappeared into the oblivion of the Guatemalan legal system and never have been heard from again. No doubt the world-wide interest in their fate has played a role in the outcome. The minute-by-minute updates on the website of what was happening perhaps made some influence on how the situation was handled. In any event, the boat should soon be back at sea and underway. I wish them a better passage on their next leg. Their bad luck should all be out of the way after this. Their story is quite interesting, and I find myself drawn into it on a daily--hourly--basis.
jimh	posted 03-28-2007 11:07 AM ET (US) According to their position tracker, EARTHRACE is back at sea. No new updates on the website. There is a Boston Whaler angle to this story. Here is a photograph of the boat under guard at a Guatemalan Naval Base. Note the vessel in the background: http://www.sail-world.com/photos/med_under_guard_2.jpg
jimh	posted 04-26-2007 11:47 AM ET (US) I have been following EARTHRACE and it has been a very interesting story. They've had their share of problems.Their diesel engines from Cummins have been quite impressive, but after thousands of miles of racing, it appears they have lost compression in one cylinder. They have been getting fantastic support from Cummins, and often in very remote places. The global support network for Cummins has been a great asset. EARTHRACE is currently in Palau, and we are all waiting to hear how the saga continues from here. For those of us up North where the boating season still has not started, the EARTHRACE story has been a great read.
Wheaven	posted 05-03-2007 01:42 PM ET (US) This is a good link where you can see videos of the Earthrace navigating and photos. http://especiales.primerahora.com/ciclonearthrace/
Wheaven	posted 05-03-2007 01:45 PM ET (US) http://especiales.primerahora.com/ciclonearthrace/
20dauntless	posted 05-31-2007 10:18 PM ET (US) The team just announced that they are ending their record attempt.