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After more than 32,000 nautical miles across three oceans and a painful ordeal when the project’s flagship trimaran capsized, the environmental expedition concluded its journey today with its return to its home port. On arrival in Bordeaux, the team will assess nine-month worth of data collected and the personalities and general public that the project reached with its awareness raising programme and its call to action. Race for Water Odyssey used a standard protocol based on that of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to sample the plastic pollution on 30 beaches located in five major waste accumulation zones. The project’s various partner institutions, including the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland), the University of Bordeaux (France) and the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) are currently analysing the collected samples. Duke University and Oregon State in the USA are studying images taken by the senseFly drone, eBee. Results are expected in 2016.
The first findings, reported in September, are clear and alarming. Plastic is everywhere. And it is present in such large quantities that an effective ocean clean-up is unrealistic.
“This expedition has been a great human, social and scientific adventure (notably with the University of Bordeaux) and our arrival back in Bordeaux is an emotional experience. The last nine months have been challenging at times, but all the data and knowledge acquired and the enriching encounters that we have experienced are essential to continue the fight against plastic pollution in the oceans,” said Marco Simeoni, expedition leader and president of the Race for Water Foundation.
“Race for Water Odyssey is just the beginning of a long-term project. It is a springboard that has enabled us to further define how to progress towards solutions. Following the Odyssey, our conclusions are clear : plastic pollution affects all regions of the world, it is everywhere. We must be proactive and prevent plastic from getting into our waterways by promoting solutions that give waste value. We will be launching pilot projects that transform waste into energy from 2016 on,” he added.
2021 is beginning with a highly symbolic project becoming reality for MerConcept. François Gabart’s business has just signed a contract to build its first pleasure craft. This is the first step in the diversification process they have opted for, with the aim of transferring technology from ocean racing to the maritime sector.
RS Electric Boats, the brand-new sister company to RS Sailing, this week launches the Pulse58 - its exciting new innovative electric RIB. Unveiled at Boot Dusseldorf, the Pulse58 is the product of 2 years of development and is ground-breaking as the first ever production RIB with a fully integral electric drive.
The zero-emission catamaran “Race for Water” has reached Madeira finishing the first leg on its journey across the Atlantic. The first of its kind yacht has been utilizing the innovative kite propulsion system developed by SkySails Yacht GmbH of Hamburg/Germany throughout the voyage.
The vessel, Race for Water, left Lorient on Sunday, April 9 on a five-year Odyssey with mission to promote solutions to preserve the ocean. On a day of sunny weather and festivities, more that 8,000 people came out to support the vessel’s Ambassador and its crew. Race for Water is a state-of-the-art vessel powered by a mixture of renewable (…)
On her way from the Koror Islands to Chagos Islands, in the Indian Ocean, the MOD70 Race for Water trimaran has capsized yesterday at 8:15PM (GMT +1), 90 miles South East from the Chagos Archipelago, as they were navigating by night with 18 to 20 knots of wind. Further information about the exact reasons of the accident will follow. The crew is (…)
Initiated by the Race for Water Foundation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, the “Race for Water Odyssey” (R4WO) will begin in Bordeaux (France) on March 15, 2015. The objective of this unique expedition is to conduct the first global assessment of plastic pollution in oceans by visiting island beaches situated in the 5 trash vortexes.
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Depuis un mois, vous pouvez élire le SeaSailSurfer de l’année 2001. Après plus de cent votes, deux hommes régatent en tête du classement. Le recordman de l’atlantique et le vainqueur de la Transat 650 sont toujours difficiles à départager.
Le Xbox Pipeline Masters est un des plus prestigieux événements du championnat mondial de surf. A la grande surprise générale, c’est Bruce Irons, 21 ans, qui s’est imposé. En finale à quatre, il a pris le dessus sur le Floridien Kelly Slater, cinq fois vainqueur du Pipeline Master ; son compatriote C.J. Hobgood, tout juste sacré champion du (…)
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