A speed boat running on bio-diesel with a net zero carbon-footprint is attempting to beat the round the world record. The current record is 74 days, 23 hours and 53 minutes, Earthrace plans to do it in 65 days.

Yesterday it was announced that the boat will set off from Valencia in March (press release).

“I wanted to do a positive project run on biodiesel and take it round the world. Politicians in Western Europe 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,” says captain Pete Bethune (AFP).

AFP also has the frankly bizarre claim that Bethune is so committed is to the project that he has undergone liposuction; his fat will be turned into some of the bio-diesel.

Earthrace has already ungone some traumas and it now sports bullet holes from a run in with some suspected pirates (Guardian). During its last attempt a Guatemalan fisherman was killed after a collision with the boat, which moves at an average speed of 40 knots (75 km per hour).

Image: courtesy Jim Burkett