Icom UK are pleased to be supporting Earthrace, the fastest eco boat on the planet in the attempt to break the round world speed record. Fuelled entirely on 100% bio-diesel and with a zero carbon footprint, Earthrace is the world’s first fully “Green” powerboat.

This not for profit venture will be the worlds first UIM Powerboat to break the world record using only renewable fuel. Built from carbon and Diab foam, Earthrace is a wave piercing trimaran, with a top speed of 40 knots. Setting off from the start in Valencia on March 29th 2008, the boat will cross the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans and travel through the Panama and Suez Canals.

To help the in the running of the attempt Icom has donated IC-M33 buoyant VHF handhelds to the crew. Skipper, Pete Bethune, welcomed the involvement of Icom to the Earthrace team and said: “The equipment they (Icom) are providing will be crucial to the team. Visibility from inside the cockpit looking towards the stern is difficult when we are docking, especially for those all important refuelling stops. Having the marine hand held IC-M33 VHF radios will mean that the crew can communicate easily with the pilot. We aim to be in and out of each refuelling stops within a window of about four hours, and with the radios on board Earthrace, and two held by the ground crew, we can be sure of safe, quick and efficient stops, keeping us on track towards the world record.”

Bob Stockley, Icom Sales & Marketing director said: “Earthrace is a really exciting project and we are delighted to be involved. In this day and age there is a huge need to raise the awareness of bio-fuel, reducing your carbon footprint and generally developing “green practices”. We wish them all the best of luck and hope they smash the record”