Twister_Ken
Well-known member
Now, not even a biofuel-powered RTW gig.
http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20070414124154mbynews.html
http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20070414124154mbynews.html
Earthrace becomes even more pointless
- Thread starter Twister_Ken
- Start date
flaming
Well-known member
I wonder what the carbon footprint of just getting the fuel to the required out of the way places is?
This "record attempt" needs to go away now.
This "record attempt" needs to go away now.
Stocky_Helm
New member
1. A light dramatic work in which highly improbable plot situations, exaggerated characters, and often slapstick elements are used for humorous effect.
2. A ludicrous, empty show; a mockery:
A farce and sadly also a tregedy of errors or judgement.
2. A ludicrous, empty show; a mockery:
A farce and sadly also a tregedy of errors or judgement.
sighmoon
Active member
On the upside though, the failure to use biodeisel means many more people get to eat.
If yields of biodiesel are about one hundred gallons per acre, filling up the 2500 gallon tank of Earthrace requires some 25 acres of land, which was previously either virgin forest, or supplying poor people's dinner.
Ironically, the Earthrace website says:
"...remember we are racing around the world for a better planet.". It would be easy to forget.
If yields of biodiesel are about one hundred gallons per acre, filling up the 2500 gallon tank of Earthrace requires some 25 acres of land, which was previously either virgin forest, or supplying poor people's dinner.
Ironically, the Earthrace website says:
"...remember we are racing around the world for a better planet.". It would be easy to forget.
tangofour
New member
The amount of water required to produce the crop to make biodiesel is a major threat to resources.
We'll all have diesel to run speedboats but no water to drink!
Lovely.
We'll all have diesel to run speedboats but no water to drink!
Lovely.
billywhizzzuk
New member
And having already killed one fisherman in a collision leaves a family without a father who earned an income - the world was already a worse place thanks to the efforts of this lot.
They should have ended their attempt then
They should have ended their attempt then
Bajansailor
Well-known member
And they have the audacity to claim that the most recent mechanical problems sustained were 'probably' as a result of the accident with the fishing boat - ie it was all the fishing boat's fault for getting in the way.
And the skipper seems to be keen on heaping blame on others re why he wasn't able to obtain biodiesel in the remote Pacific, and had to fill up with 'crappy sulphur' diesel instead.
I dont think he has ever admitted that he might have made an occasional mistake along the way (or that he screwed up big time basically).
And of course it is now 'our' fault - ie the rest of the world - because we are not digging in our pockets to throw money at them with wild abandon, to allow them to carry on with their Boy's Jolly Cruise Around The World.
We are a miserable lot!
Although methinks they must have been able to estimate the costs fairly well from the very beginning if they did their research properly - to run out of money when they are half way round the world in Oman does imply that somebody didnt do their sums properly.
And wouldnt it be prudent to ensure that you do have a guaranteed supply of 'proper' fuel available in the remote islands to be visited before setting off? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
The recent transatlantic crossing by a solar panel powered catamaran is a much more notable achievement IMHO - they used no fuel at all, bio or otherwise!
And the skipper seems to be keen on heaping blame on others re why he wasn't able to obtain biodiesel in the remote Pacific, and had to fill up with 'crappy sulphur' diesel instead.
I dont think he has ever admitted that he might have made an occasional mistake along the way (or that he screwed up big time basically).
And of course it is now 'our' fault - ie the rest of the world - because we are not digging in our pockets to throw money at them with wild abandon, to allow them to carry on with their Boy's Jolly Cruise Around The World.
We are a miserable lot!
Although methinks they must have been able to estimate the costs fairly well from the very beginning if they did their research properly - to run out of money when they are half way round the world in Oman does imply that somebody didnt do their sums properly.
And wouldnt it be prudent to ensure that you do have a guaranteed supply of 'proper' fuel available in the remote islands to be visited before setting off? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
The recent transatlantic crossing by a solar panel powered catamaran is a much more notable achievement IMHO - they used no fuel at all, bio or otherwise!
graham
Well-known member
I am hoping to Sail from cardiff to Ilfracombe next week(about 40 miles )my intention is to use less than 1 Liter of fuel unless its flat calm .
Will the Earthrace people send me some cash sponsorship as my Carbon footprint must be a toenail in comparison to their size 10 boot.
Will the Earthrace people send me some cash sponsorship as my Carbon footprint must be a toenail in comparison to their size 10 boot.
Phoenix of Hamble
Active member
Just what is the point in them carrying on?
They are no longer 'green', and the 'greenness' of their attempt was highly suspect to start with given its unneccessary nature..... they have got themselves into a terrible situation with the Fisherman they ran down, and IMHO should stop and quietly retire into the background.... perhaps taking any remaining funding, and giving it to the family of the poor devil they killed.....
They are no longer 'green', and the 'greenness' of their attempt was highly suspect to start with given its unneccessary nature..... they have got themselves into a terrible situation with the Fisherman they ran down, and IMHO should stop and quietly retire into the background.... perhaps taking any remaining funding, and giving it to the family of the poor devil they killed.....
graham
Well-known member
One interesting part of the fishing vessel collision was that they spotted a flahing light ahead ,thinking the weak light was a distant navigation mark the y checked the chart then hit the boat a few moments later.In fairness it does sound as if the Earthrace did everything possible for the crew.One dived in to help a floundering fisherman and they didnt give up the search until relieved by a Navy vessel.
It does tie in with the disc ussion on here recently about using strobe lights etc to warn ships of your presence.
It does tie in with the disc ussion on here recently about using strobe lights etc to warn ships of your presence.
KINGFISHER 8
Well-known member
I suspect that those taking part are coming out of the whole deal with some sort of hefty financial gain ... I've reckoned from the start - and this applies to a number of these record breaking jamborees, re-enactments and expeditions - that they're very often just a money making exercise which benefits nobody except the people taking part and possibly the people they've conned into sponsoring them. Not in every case ... but quite a few of them.
Stingo
Well-known member
Fully agree with you TK, but I think their mission is to raise enviromental awareness. If they do that, then the oiks that are impressed by revs and who probably voted for the likes of Bush and Bliar, just may think twice about driving down to the chippie.
I will add that they could have put the money to better use by using more enviromentally friendly methods
I will add that they could have put the money to better use by using more enviromentally friendly methods
Sgeir
Well-known member
Ship of Fools
What a tatty and pointless exercise "Earthrace" is. To imply, as these people do, that the stupidity of burning up fuel for no real reason is somehow mitigated by using biodiesel verges on the obscene IMHO.
What a tatty and pointless exercise "Earthrace" is. To imply, as these people do, that the stupidity of burning up fuel for no real reason is somehow mitigated by using biodiesel verges on the obscene IMHO.
EdWingfield
New member
'then the oiks that are impressed by revs and who probably voted for the likes of Bliar'
Uh? Care to enlighten us on the way you think Mr Stingo /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif?
Uh? Care to enlighten us on the way you think Mr Stingo /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif?
Stingo
Well-known member
With pleasure I'll do that for you:
I despise the war-mongering way that Bush leads for the benefit of his pocket and that Tony Bliar follows suit.
Bush, oil and personal profits are synonymous.
Bliar kissing Bush's arse are synonymous.
Rev-heads and oil consumption are a given.
Do you really need any further explanation?
I despise the war-mongering way that Bush leads for the benefit of his pocket and that Tony Bliar follows suit.
Bush, oil and personal profits are synonymous.
Bliar kissing Bush's arse are synonymous.
Rev-heads and oil consumption are a given.
Do you really need any further explanation?
GMac
New member
[ QUOTE ]
And having already killed one fisherman in a collision leaves a family without a father who earned an income - the world was already a worse place thanks to the efforts of this lot.
[/ QUOTE ]
I hear they are upset they didn't get both fishermen.
Now we have 2 completely dumba*se statements.
And having already killed one fisherman in a collision leaves a family without a father who earned an income - the world was already a worse place thanks to the efforts of this lot.
[/ QUOTE ]
I hear they are upset they didn't get both fishermen.
Now we have 2 completely dumba*se statements.
JREdginton
Member
They will probable try again next year using sails to get around with a smaller CO2 bootprint /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Bajansailor
Well-known member
When you consider that the record for time taken on a passage around the world under sail is less than the one under power, and the sailing record was achieved by going south of all the major capes, and covering a much greater distance, then this whole biofuel project just becomes even more pointless.
If they wanted to prove a point re bio-fuel, it would have been a lot more sensible / logical to eg circumnavigate the British Isles - or Ireland - or the Isle of Wight even.
If they wanted to prove a point re bio-fuel, it would have been a lot more sensible / logical to eg circumnavigate the British Isles - or Ireland - or the Isle of Wight even.
yachtwork
New member
The point of Earthrace is get people talking about bio diesel, alternative energy and alternative power.
I hope your conversations will eventually turn toward how you can reduce your personal carbon load and pollution.
Now if you think another type of record attempt is a good idea I wonder why you are not working toward that goal?
I hope your conversations will eventually turn toward how you can reduce your personal carbon load and pollution.
Now if you think another type of record attempt is a good idea I wonder why you are not working toward that goal?
Phoenix of Hamble
Active member
Bit of a joke though..... as the vast vast majority of people have never heard of it..... even within the boating community, I bet the number of people who know about it is tiny.....
