[PUP] Earthrace tangles with fishing net

[Georgs Kolesnikovs]

Earthrace tangles with fishing net

Hawaii, USA --12th April 2007--At approximately 4pm yesterday 
afternoon, Earthrace became entangled with some old ropes and fishing 
net as she made here way Westwards towards Hawaii.

According to Earthrace Captain Pete Bethune, there was a sudden 
series of vibrations, and on stopping, a trail of ropes could be seen 
dangling behind the stern of Earthrace.  The crew dived underneath 
the hull to cut away sections of rope that were wrapped in a tight 
ball around the 3-inch shaft and propeller.  Bethune says the debris 
looks like an accumulation of lots of old bits of fishing gear, and 
judging by the amount of algal growth, it has probably been floating 
around for years.

A total of around 15 minutes time was lost in removing the debris 
from the starboard propeller, and Earthrace is now safely on her way 
back towards Hawaii.  She is expected to arrive in Maalaea on the 
Island of Maui at around 5pm today, local time.

On arrival, Earthrace will be refueled with B100 biodiesel, plus she 
will also undergo maintenance.  Earthrace Engineer Scott Fratcher 
says it is most important they fix a vibration that has hampered the 
boat for some time.  As soon as that is repaired, Earthrace will 
leave for Majuro, in the Marshall Islands, on the next leg of her 
round the world speed record attempt.


Press release ends.