Revolutionary Catamaran Studying Oceanic Plastic Pollution Visiting Vanuatu

A revolutionary 100% self-propelled catamaran powered by the sun, wind and the sea is in Vanuatu on its five year journey around the world (2017-2021) to assess the global level and impact  of plastic pollution on the marine environment, to raise awareness and propose solutions for marine litter in the ocean. The scientific, environmental and educational expedition is at Port Vila until the 14th when it will sail for the Solomon Islands. 

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Daily Post, Vanuatu
The Race For Water, an automated vessel which sails exclusively on mixed propulsion solar-hydrogen-kite, with a mission to demonstrate sustainable solutions for ocean conservation has arrived in Vanuatu.

Committed to a five-year Odyssey (2017-2021), the ambassador vessel, now anchored in Port Vila Harbour, is on an expedition around the world to study the impact of plastic waste on the marine environment, to raise awareness and propose solutions for marine litter in our ocean.

In 2010, Swiss entrepreneur Marco Simeoni created the Race for Water Foundation in Lausanne, a French-speaking region in Switzerland and devoted all of his entrepreneurial spirit to the service of the ocean, to fight against plastic pollution of the oceans.

With his deep passion for the ocean, Mr Simeoni decided in 2015 to make the first one-swoop global assessment of plastic pollution, by launching a scientific and environmental expedition — the Race for Water.

Since its creation, the Race for Water has developed the Learn, Share and Act program which focuses on the gathering of scientific knowledge on water pollution, which alerts decision makers and educates the people on the importance of preserving water and implements solutions to sustainable environment and social impacts.

Highly concerned about the problem of plastic, which they are trying to reduce and even seeking to prohibit importation, Vanuatu is hosting Race for Water from the 3rd-14th of April for the 16th stopover of the Odyssey.

The emissary vessel is here in Vanuatu to demonstrate the existence of concrete solutions to stem plastic pollution of the oceans and accelerate the energy transition, thanks to a machine which transforms plastic waste into electric energy — the Biogreen.

Race for Water First Mate, Anne Laure Le Duff said the boat will be here till its departure on April 14 to carry on its expedition to Solomon Islands.

“The vessel is a revolutionary 100% self-propelled catamaran powered by the sun (school boards), wind (kite traction) and the sea (two fuel cells) which produces electricity through hydrogen obtained by electrolysis of sea water.

“Powered by renewable energy sources (sun, wind and hydrogen), the vessel has installed 756 solar panels to sail around the world.

“There will be a ‘Plastic Waste to Energy’ Workshop on Monday 8th April with locals and from Tuesday 9th to Friday 12th April, an educational tour will be held for students to board the vessel.”

The Odyssey has five crew members: Captain Pascal Morizot, Engineer Martin Gaveriaux, Intendant Christelle Brigeot Mathieu, Sailor Anne Le Chantoux and the Media officer, Peter Charaf.

http://dailypost.vu/news/race-for-water-in-vanuatu/article_0eabd30c-71c0-5ac6-9f61-695896a05498.html

adorina@dailypost.vu