Japanese sailor to embark on world's longest wave-powered voyage

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
HONOLULU - Kenichi Horie, who has crossed the Pacific in a solar-powered boat made of recycled aluminum, is preparing for his next solo adventure.

The 69-year-old Japanese sailor will set out March 16 on what he says will be the world's longest voyage in a wave-powered boat.

Speaking Tuesday through a translator at the Hawaii Yacht Club, Horie said he would travel more than 6,400 kilometres from Honolulu to Japan aboard a three-tonne yacht called the Suntory Mermaid II at a speed of up to five knots.

The boat made of recycled aluminum relies on the energy of waves to move two fins at its bow and propel it forward. Horie said it is a sturdy vessel, designed to right itself if it capsizes. But it is equipped with an engine and an 11-metre sail mast for emergencies.

The journey - which would take a diesel-powered boat about 10 days to complete - is expected to take Horie about 2.5 months. He will take along rice, canned food, microwaveable meals and beer.

Solar panels atop the catamaran will power the microwave and Horie will also have a satellite phone and access to e-mail.

"With so many people supporting me, even by myself, I won't feel lonesome," Horie said.

To pass the time, he said, he would also take books and a radio.

"I still think he's crazy for doing this," said Howie Mednick, vice-commodore of the Hawaii Yacht Club. But he called the voyage "historical" and "amazing."

Ken Dota, a spokesman promoting Horie's voyage, said the sailor hopes the shipping industry will eventually adopt the clean wave technology.

The journey would not be Horie's first time travelling the seas using green technology. In 1992, he powered a boat by pedalling from Hawaii to Okinawa. And in 1996, he sailed nearly 16,000 kilometres from Ecuador to Tokyo aboard a solar-powered boat made from recycled aluminum beer cans.

© The Canadian Press, 2008