World’s first…

Via Physorg, a Japanese man (almost 70 years old)  crosses the pacific in a wave-powered boat.

[Kenichi] Horie completed a 110-day solo trans-Pacific voyage in a boat propelled only by the power of waves — to claim another first in the world. The 9.5 metre (31-foot) boat is equipped with two special fins at the front which can move like a dolphin’s tail each time the vessel rises or falls with the rhythm of the waves. Horie first made world headlines in 1962 when, at the age of 23, he became the first person to sail solo across the Pacific. His projects have included sailing boats that rely on a single solar battery or are made from recycled materials.

(Image from Latitude 38)

How fantastic is that?

I, for one, love the idea of sailing across the Pacific. It sounds unbelievably scary but what a feel of accomplishment at the finish. On top of that, uber-green sea-faring vessels are a must at this point. Our oceans are a critical piece of the entire biosphere and the damage that is being done to them is really deplorable.

Between wave power,sail power, and solar power, I don’t know why there is not a bigger push towards environmental mandates for pleasure/cruising boats. Part of taming technology is making sure that your technology is not a detriment to other parts of the biosphere. It’s hard to put a restriction on international trade (and transportation) but what about cruise liners? Personal watercraft? Mega-yachts? Why not place some stringent CAFE-type standards on any of those industries.

It would be a step in the right direction to say the least…