Eathrace facts:
• Earthrace is capable of submarining up to seven metres (23ft) underwater as she powers across oceans;
• The range of Earthrace depends on her speed. At six knots sge can go an incredible 13,000 nautical miles (24,000 kilometres) on one tank of biodiesel. At 25 knots she has a range of about 2000 nautical miles (3700 kilometres).
• Much of the Earthrace helm has been modelled on race cars. Recent additions include custom carbon/kevlar racing seats.
IT has been described as the world’s coolest boat and it’s heading our way.
The 24-metre tri-hull ‘Earthrace’ will be docking in Bermagui for two days.
The Earthrace will be in Batemans Bay on Friday, it will then cut its way south through the waves to Bermagui where it will be open for viewing on Sunday and Monday.
The powerboat - which last year set a new world record for circumnavigating the globe - will be open for public inspection between 10am and 6pm.
Boating enthusiasts are expected to turn out over the two days to see the vessel, designed and built specifically to set the record for circumnavigating the globe.
‘Earthrace’ is no ordinary vessel. She set the world record last year using 100 per cent renewable biodiesel fuel, leaving a net zero carbon footprint in the process.
Capable of speeds up to 40 knots, she circumnavigated the globe in 60 days, 23 hours and 49 minutes, smashing the old record by more than two weeks.
Crew member Emily Penn told the Times this week that ‘Earthrace’ was on her way home to New Zealand from Europe.
The vessel is working its way down the east coast, attracting hundreds of visitors every day.
After leaving Sydney, she stopped in Wollongong, Ulladulla, Batemans Bay and Bermagui before heading to Melbourne and eventually, overseas.
Ms Penn said there were currently eight people on board the vessel, including ‘Earthrace’ skipper Paul Bethune.
They are making the most of the opportunity to speak with people about biodiesel fuel as well as a number of other environmental issues.
All waste from the boat is recycled, the crew wears shirts made from hemp and eat only organic food and no chemicals are used in the cleaning of the boat.
Ms Penn said the current tour was designed to provide “positive messages about the environment”.
Those people wanting to inspect the boat are being asked to make a donation of $5 for adults, $2.50 for children or $10 for a family to help cover costs.
And those people particularly taken with Earthrace may like to take their cheque books with them - the vessel is on sale for a cool $1.5 million.
Bethune said his crew was hopeful of using the tour to raise awareness of biofuels and carbon footprints.
He added that the vessel would be arriving in Ulladulla a little “battle-scarred” - complete with bullet holes from Columbia and log scars from Borneo.
Coastal Patrol welcome at the Bay and Bermagui
Earthrace, the record-breaking, bio-diesel vessel will be welcomed and escorted into Batemans Bay by Coastal Patrol Batemans Bay at 10am on Friday, January 16.
Earthrace is a remarkable, high-tech vessel that circled the world in 60 days, 23 hours and 49 minutes last year and is now on a promotional tour of the east coast of Australia. She has already been welcomed by Coastal Patrol lifeboats in Coffs Harbour and Gosford.
Earthrace broke the previous round-the-world record by over two weeks on 100 per cent renewable biodiesel fuel and a net zero carbon footprint. The voyage was over 24,000 nautical miles.
Coastal Patrol Batemans Bay Divisional Commander, Howard Staples said, “We’re looking forward to welcoming Earthrace and her crew when they arrive next week. I’ve only seen photographs of her so far and she’s a remarkable looking craft.”
Earthrace will finish her tour in Bermagui on Sunday and Monday where the Coastal Patrol will provide another warm welcome.
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