In our December 2006 issue, we featured an innovatively designed, biodiesel-powered speedboat called Earthrace that was going to attempt to set an around-the-world nautical speed record of 65 days. Skipper Pete Bethune’s intent was to raise awareness of the environmental benefits—and raw power—of biodiesel fuel. That effort came to a tragic end last week when, only nine days into the attempt, Earthrace crashed into a fishing vessel off Guatemala, killing one fisherman and seriously injuring a second (the third member of the boat's crew suffered only minor injuries). Bethune and his crew did everything they could to rescue the fishermen and treat their injuries while the boat limped back to shore, likely saving the lives of the two injured sailors they were able to recover. The mission, of course, was terminated, and the crew remains in Guatemala pending an investigation. For a riveting account of the accident, see Bethune's Captain's blog . —Eric Adams
In our December 2006 issue, we featured an innovatively designed, biodiesel-powered speedboat called Earthrace that was going to attempt to set an around-the-world nautical speed record of 65 days. Skipper Pete Bethune’s intent was to raise awareness of the environmental benefits—and raw power—of biodiesel fuel. That effort came to a tragic end last week when, only nine days into the attempt, Earthrace crashed into a fishing vessel off Guatemala, killing one fisherman and seriously injuring a second (the third member of the boat's crew suffered only minor injuries). Bethune and his crew did everything they could to rescue the fishermen and treat their injuries while the boat limped back to shore, likely saving the lives of the two injured sailors they were able to recover. The mission, of course, was terminated, and the crew remains in Guatemala pending an investigation. For a riveting account of the accident, see Bethune's Captain's blog . —Eric Adams 
Sounds like Sean Penn was at the helm. What a cool guy! Wow... Seems like it was only yesterday when Penn was in New Orleans saving all those hurricane Katrina people with a boat-load of his photographers and a 12oz red cup to bail his sinking boat with.
Posted by: JihadGene | March 27, 2007 at 11:05 AM
So.. they set off with yet another stupid excuse for guys to make a loud screaming bunch of noise with a boat, they kill one man, injure 2 others, and pollute the ocean with a bunch of oil and boat parts?!? What was the point again? And why the heck wasnt anyone *watching* where the boat was going? Sounds like a bunch of jerks masquerading as environmentalists to me..
Posted by: Netmonger | March 31, 2007 at 12:46 PM
The race wasn't terminated because they were let go. The oil used in the boat was biodegradeable, a little thing called biodiesel. The Earthrace boat was virtually unharmed anyway.
Posted by: Jayson | May 15, 2007 at 06:42 PM
the cool thing with Earthrace, it is bigger than just a few team members or a boat. there's an army of people who still believe in what Earthrace stands for, and they believe they can make a small difference...
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Marine Engineers Beneficial
Posted by: galin | August 10, 2007 at 11:46 AM
First, if biodiesel spills into the water it turns into sugar and does not pollute. Second, it was in the middle of the night and the fisherman off the Coast had no lights on their very small boat.
Third, yes there is literally an army of support behind Earthrace throughout the world spreading the good news about renewable energy sources and helping to make their goal attainable. I am one which learned about the possibilities of green fuels and ended up buying a mercedes and converting it to run on used vege oil. Hey, it has made a difference with at least myself and I am sure many many others.
Posted by: wneilmorgan | January 26, 2008 at 12:44 AM
That's very unfortunate but accidents happen. It's no reason to stop a project (well besides having to repair the damage)
Posted by: Boating Equipment | August 04, 2008 at 10:00 PM
O wow what a tragedy, after just starting to learn about the great effect of alternative fuels as an aftermath of our blog post on green boat parts this is horrific.
http://blog.floatmarine.com/green-boat-parts
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I agree with this comment: "Third, yes there is literally an army of support behind Earthrace throughout the world spreading the good news about renewable energy sources and helping to make their goal attainable..." is very interesting!
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Tragedy in Guatemala for Earthrace Boat
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Posted by: John Flanagan | December 30, 2010 at 06:37 AM
Anyone know the outcome of the investigation?
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