Environmental world record breaker in Victoria

Environmental world record-breaker in Victoria

The world record-breaking, biodiesel-fuelled Earthrace vessel will visit Victoria this summer as part of the 2009 Melbourne International Boat & Lifestyle Show.

Show patrons will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to look around this unique powerboat, rightly known as ‘the coolest boat in the world’, and gain further insight into global environmental responsibility.

In June this year, the futuristic Earthrace vessel set a new world record for a powerboat to circle the globe – and did this with 100% renewable biodiesel fuel and a net zero carbon footprint. The voyage was over 24,000 nautical miles and took 60 days, 23 hours and 49 minutes… smashing the old record by over two weeks!

Earthrace skipper Pete Bethune said the vessel’s Melbourne stop-over was part of an extensive promotional tour around the Pacific.

“The aim of this tour is to connect with people and encourage debate and understanding about biofuels, carbon footprints and the many other aspects that affect our environmental footprint,” Mr Bethune said.

“As one of the major attractions of the 2009 Melbourne International Boat & Lifestyle Show, it’s also a chance for people to check out this amazing boat and chat with us about our adventures… some of them amazing and some absolutely terrifying!”

Focusing on the broader lifestyle aspects of boating, the Melbourne International Boat & Lifestyle Show will be held at Docklands, 30 January to 1 February 2009.

Many components of the event will be free to the public, including access to all the open space exhibits along the promenade and the shell scheme. Access to boats on the marina will be ticketed: adults $12; families $28 (two adults and up to three children); children under 16 and concession card holders $6.

Further information:
Boating Industry Association of Victoria – (03) 8696 5600 or visit: www.biavic.com.au