An engineer and sailor from New Zealand still hopes to circumnavigate the globe in world-record time at the helm of a boat powered in part by the ultimate renewable fuel – human fat.
Pete Bethune, a former oil exploration engineer, is so committed to proving biodiesel is a viable alternative to fossil fuel that he and two other Earthrace crew members underwent liposuction. Together they stripped more than 2.5 gallons of fat from their bodies, which produced almost two gallons of fuel – enough to go 9 miles under optimum conditions.
Circumnavigating the world – a 27,600-mile journey – is the ultimate maritime challenge, and this is the second time Bethune and his crew will attempt it. The first ended disastrously in March when Earthrace collided with a fishing vessel off the coast of Guatamala. One fisherman was injured and another lost at sea; Earthrace’s insurance carrier paid the families a settlement. Earlier voyages have ended with propeller failures and when the Colombian navy fired upon the boat.
Bethune remains undeterred and still hopes to accomplish the feat and Bethune hopes to do it in 65 days. Using some human fat as fuel is a gimmick to garner headlines; the 78-foot-long Earthrace is fueled entirely with biodiesel and Bethune says it emits 78 percent less pollution than conventional diesel vessels.
“The vision of a world using fuel produced from sustainable sources is an idea whose time has come,” he said. “By demonstrating the power, reliability and environmental safety of biodiesel, Earthrace is committed to transforming this vision into reality.”
Earthrace is billed as the world’s fastest eco-friendly boat, and Bethune says the team will buy carbon offsets to give the vessel a zero net carbon footprint. Non-toxic wax-based paint, composite materials derived from hemp and lubricants refined from canola oil further improve its eco-friendliness.
The vessel, which displaces 10 tons and is powered by two 540 horsepower Cummins Mercruiser engines, cost almost $3 million to build. Bethune bought his first boat just 10 years ago and started planning Earthrace four years ago. He and his wife have mortgaged their home and sold most of their possessions to raise $650,000 for the project. Another $650,000 in loans and donations, coupled with several corporate sponsorships, helped finance Earthrace.
