Earthrace, the futuristic biodiesel powerboat, has fared badly at the start of her World Record Bid. She has currently dropped to a speed of 12 knots due to damage sustained by the carbon propellers. The Race started in Barbados at noon on the 10th March and encountered trouble after 16 hours. The carbon propellers are of a type used by submarines. They are designed to cause less vibration and to be more efficient. But at 1 a.m. the propellers began to cause a vibration.

The team inspected the propellers using a dive light. According to Earthrace Skipper Pete Bethune, “we were staggered by the damage”.  All the blades have sections where the carbon is peeling away, and the entire leading edge of one blade is coming to bits.”  The team believes it to be cavitation damage, where bubbles form along the edges and tips of the propellers, gradually eating into the fiber. Skipper Pete Bethune said “right now, the priority is to just get safely in to port, and we are concerned these blades will come to bits before we make it.  And of course we’re devastated.” Earthrace is heading to Panama.

Earthrace will decide on the course of action soon. Earthrace is a bid to break the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a powerboat using only renewable fuels. The UIM Powerboat record is 65 days, regardless of fuel used. The whole Earthrace program includes an 18-month tour calling at 60 of the worlds great cities, promoting fuels like biodiesel, and raising awareness about sustainable use of resources.

Let’s hope these guys can find a solution soon. Visit Earthrace at www.earthrace.net .