What next for Donna Lange?
by Jane Pares on 30 May 2007
Donna Lange announces her return to home base, Rhode Island Billy Black
http://www.BillyBlack.com
Donna is safely back in Bristol, Rhode Island, after spending 300 days sailing alone round the world, logging 31,400 nautical miles.
After circumnavigating the globe in her 28-foot Southern Cross sloop, Inspired Insanity, she has joined the ranks of a very few elite sailors.
In Nov 2005 Donna left Bristol and sailed south east for New Zealand. Repeatedly testing herself against extreme odds, her inner strength and physical stamina overcame countless ocean ‘battles’ in horrific conditions. In April 2007 she survived an intense storm off the coast of Florida that required every last ounce of her mental and physical endurance.
The completion of this epic sail marks a new beginning for Donna – who emerges as a highly experienced sailor and passionate environmentalist. She now plans to commit much of her time to the protection of our oceans. During her time in New Zealand she joined up with other environmentalists to form Oceanswatch, www.oceanswatch.org.
Oceanswatch aims to
• Offer resources, in the form of ocean-going research/support vessels and expertise - such as marine biologists, film crews, project management and support crew.
• Support marine conservation and coastal community humanitarian assistance projects by fostering involvement of yachts-people and co-ordination with other aid organisations that offer specific skills.
• Strengthen and support communications between the global yachting community and those who are actively involved in marine research, education and conservation in order to promote the role of yachtsmen and their vessels in such projects.
The first vessel will be an environmentally friendly Wharram catamaran, ready for service in 2008.
Oceanswatch is not only a forum for discussion and networking; it is a practical organization that plans to use sailing vessels and skilled yachtsmen to take researchers, film-makers and humanitarian relief workers to needy coastal communities and to the endangered marine ecosystems on our planet.
Offering an environmentally friendly and cost-effective means to study both vulnerable and pristine marine habitats, the programme will underscore the impact of global warming, pollution and unsustainable management on these systems.
Please visit www.oceanswatch.org to learn more about the Trust, to join Oceanswatch, or to make a donation.
Donna is currently living on her boat on the town wharf, Bristol, Rhode Island. She will be featuring in the 1-3 June, Bristol Boat Show and then attending Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2007 in Washington DC. A three-day symposium focusing on current ocean and coastal issues.
You can still follow Donna’s activities on www.donnalange.com
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/34134
