BioFuels Journal

The Earthrace biodiesel-powered boat that failed in an attempt earlier this year to set a new record for the circumnavigation of the globe in a powerboat, will likely try again starting in March 2008, according to the boat’s captain, Pete Bethune.

Earthrace abandoned its first attempt to break the 24,000-mile around-the-world record of 75 days after traveling nearly three quarters of the way around the globe.

The 78-foot boat is currently on a tour of European ports where it is attending boat shows and sailing festivals.

Bethune, a retired oil industry executive, e-mailed BioFuels Journal from Sweden that the first attempt failed due to “under-sourced logistics and not enough spare parts.”

For example, Bethune said, “The biodiesel we were to use in India was made from a low quality fish oil. It arrived three days after our boat docked in Cochin. We ended up losing four days there.

“If we do a second attempt, we will ensure we get someone there a month in advance to determine the fuel quality, and to have it waiting on the dock.”

“The boat has certainly proven it is well capable of getting the record,” Bethune said, “and looking back, most problems we had were basically within our control.

"So we have only ourselves to blame. And we will better prepared next time around.”