The world's fastest eco-boat will attempt to break the powerboat round-the-world speed record using bio-fuel made from human fat cells sucked out of its skipper's back. Earthrace, a futuristic-looking tri-hulled, wave-piercer, is scheduled to set off from Valencia in Spain in March 2008 (the Current clip above mentions an outdated route). The record which Earthrace has to beat is 74 days, 23 hours and 53 minutes.
Race rules state that the boat must be under 150 ft (Earthrace is 78ft). Both the start / finish line and the route can be determined by the crew. They may circumnavigate the globe in either direction, but must pass through both the Suez and Panama canals, refueling in port rather than at sea.
While racing to win the speed record, New Zealand skipper Pete Bethune hopes his bio-boat will inspire greater eco awareness. As a testament to his commitment, Bethune and two of his weightier pals underwent liposuction, donating the extracted cells to power the low-emission engines. The virtually carbon-neutral craft, which has a cabin floor made of hemp, will also be using more conventional bio-fuel made from both animal and vegetable fats. "If it were up to market forces, biofuels wouldn't happen at all," said Bethune to England's Daily Mail newspaper. "Politicians must be prepared to stand up to the oil industry, and be more supportive of the biofuels industry to make sure the production of biofuels is sustainable."
Constructed from carbon and Kevlar, Earthrace's space-age, weighted-hull design, allows it to slice through waves rather than riding on top of them. Powering through the swell in this way means the vessel can achieve high speeds in both calm and rough conditions. It has a range of 3000 nautical miles (6000 km), and a top speed of 45 knots. "Our boat is easily fast enough to get the record," says Bethune, "but we've got to make sure we get it round in one piece. That's the challenge we face."
Well we certainly have an excess of body fat but that's wild. I would never have imagined that as fuel.