Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Fastest transatlantic crossing by solar power: PlanetSolar breaks Guinness world record
Marigot, St. Martin -- Switzerland's MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, the world's largest solar boat, sailed 2,867miles (5,310 kilometers) across the Atlantic Ocean at the average speed of 5.3 knots before reaching Marigot, St. Martin, in the French West Indies; the first-of-its-kind catamaran completed this year's passage across the Atlantic in 22 of days, setting the new world record for the fastest transatlantic crossing made completely under solar power,
according to the World Record Academy: www.worldrecordacademy.com/.
Photo: The solar powered boat sailed 2,867miles (5,310 kilometers) across the Atlantic Ocean in 22 days, 12 hours and 32 minutes, setting the new world record for the Fastest transatlantic crossing by solar power. (enlarge photo)
The Guinness world record for the fastest transatlantic crossing made completely under solar power is 26 days 19 hr 10 min by MS TÛRANOR PlanetSolar (Switzerland) and its crew of six from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain to Marigot, Saint Martin, from 22 October to 18 November 2010.
Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the Largest solar powered building, set by China, which unveiled an office building in Dezhou, Shangdong province, that meets almost all of its energy needs with its solar-panelled roof. The building covers 75,000 m2 (807,000 ft2) and contains research facilities, display areas and a hotel.
Having left from Las Palmas, Spain, on April 25, 2013, the solar powered boat sailed 2,867miles (5,310 kilometers) across the Atlantic Ocean at the average speed of 5.3 knots before reaching Marigot, St. Martin, in the French West Indies on May 18, 2013.
The first-of-its-kind catamaran completed this year's passage across the Atlantic in 22 of days, besting last year's Guinness world record by 4 days.
"Once again, the boat provided a brilliant demonstration of solar energy's potential by breaking its own speed record for a transatlantic crossing set in 2010 by completing this year's journey in 22 days, 12 hours and 32 minutes.
"It is difficult to compare the two crossings because they were conducted at very different times of the year. But it is certain that in light of the lessons learned during the trip around the world, the major maintenance projects carried out last winter—particularly to the propulsion system—have greatly improved the ship's performance," said Gérard d'Aboville, Captain of the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar.
The Swiss solar powered boat's energy consumption had to be carefully managed in order to maintain an efficient speed and reach St. Martin in less than 26 days.
During the transatlantic crossing, the crew encountered phases of substantial cloudiness for several consecutive days and had to adjust the route. The adjustments increased the travelling distance by 7%, but enabled the PlanetSolar crew to avoid winds and unfavorable swells.
PlanetSolar is now touring the world to illustrate the practical applications of such a vessel. In June, the vessel will arrive in the United States, with stops in Miami, New York and Boston.
When docking at the ports the ship transforms into an educational platform to share the excitement and the potential of solar power.
From June to August 2013, a team led by Professor Martin Beniston, climatologist and director of the Institute of Environmental Sciences at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), will sail along the Gulf Stream ocean current.
Air and water measurements will be taken to study the key parameters of climate regulation, including atmospheric aerosols and phytoplankton.
The objective is to understand the complex interactions between physics, biology, and climate, eventually enabling scientists to refine climate simulation, especially as it relates to energy exchanges between the ocean and the atmosphere.
Related world records:
Fastest solo crossing of the Atlantic in a rowing boat: Charlie Pitcher breaks Guinness world record
Oldest message in a bottle: Andrew Leaper breaks world record (PICS)
Most Expensive Cruise: Six Star Cruises sets world record
Longest time spent at sea: Bill and Laurel Cooper sets world record
Fastest yacht voyage around the world: Yachting crew set world record (Video)
Oldest person to swim the English Channel: Roger Allsopp (Video)
Fastest crossing of the Irish Sea on wakeboards: Irish cops (Video)
Smallest Power Boat to Cross The Atlantic: Florida brothers (Video)
First Woman to Sail Around the World Three Times: Dee Caffari (Video)
Longest distance covered on a jetski in 24 hours: Jeremy Burfoot (Video)
Fastest rowing across the Atlantic: Team Hallin (Video)
Largest gay and lesbian cruise: Atlantis Events
Fastest
crossing of the English Channel on a wakeboard: Edward Bosso
First
Women To Row Nonstop Around Britain: The Seagals
Longest
voyage by a boat made of plastic bottles: Plastiki
Longest
distance traveled on a wakeboard: Wake Nation team
Longest
sea voyage: Reid Stowe
Youngest
to circumnavigate the globe: Jessica Watson
Youngest
rower to cross an ocean solo: Katie Spotz
Longest
solo kayak journey: Helen Skelton
Youngest
to sail solo around world: Zac Sunderland
Most
miles paddled in 24 hours on Stand Up Paddle Board: Justin DeBree
Longest
Stand Up Paddle board journey: Justin DeBree
Fastest
circumnavigation using Biodiesel: Earthrace
Fastest
vertical circumnavigation: Adrian Flanagan
Longest
distance traveled on a personal watercraft in a 24-hour period:
Mike Pagliccia
Longest
voyage by a wave-powered boat: Kenichi Horie
|