Plastiki in 60 knots - closing on Australia's coast

by Des Ryan on 16 Jul 2010 Plastiki, the catamaran made of 12,000 plastic bottles, is nearing the end of its four-month-long journey from Sausalito in San Francisco to Sydney, and is slowly closing on the coast of Australia.

The mission of the home-built yacht created by banking heir David de Rothschild, is to draw attention to the damage that Man's plastic waste, created on land, does to the ocean environment. In this last leg, they have been experiencing winds up to 60 knots, a tough call for a vessel that has had its share of structural problems during the journey.

The yacht, if it makes it, is expected to berth first in Coffs Harbour, half way up the New South Wales coastline, before heading for its destination in Sydney. No date has yet been set for their arrival.

David de Rothschild is on board, and the yacht is skippered by internationally famed racing skipper Jo Royle, with four other crew, including two film makers, one representing the National Geographic Magazine.

The catamaran left port in Sausalito on March 20 and has traveled over 7,500 nautical miles on its eco-journey.

They have made several stops along the way, for rest and reparation, and did expect that this final leg would be the toughest.

Film maker Vern Moen tries to convey what it's like feeling so helpless in the rough seas:

'We’re currently experiencing a different side of the ocean than what we’ve grown so accustomed to in the previous 6,700 miles. We seem to have ventured into the land of 60 knot winds and 25 foot waves.

Being on the helm is the most dramatic view of the situation. Physically, you’re about a foot away from the edge of the boat, so as a wave builds, it seems to be building especially for you. Though waves hit the side every 3 seconds, the biggest waves come in sets; about every 1 minute, and there’s usually 3 per set. These are the monsters.

'There’s nothing you can do. You just steer the ship and watch what happens. As Jo put it, 'We’re just going to survive.'

'So comforting.

'Now, not every wave actually crashes on the side of the Plastiki. 90% of the waves just pick the boat up and, after passing under, drop us back down into the trough. At the bottom of the trough, you look up the face, and it might as well be 100 feet of water.

'Your stomach sinks as you wonder if this will be the one that crashes on your crying little face.

'I’ve tried filming these waves, trying to put them into perspective. I’ve tried different cameras, lenses, angles, f stops, shutters, but I’m not really able to capture the same image and feeling I get being here.'

Read more on their www.plastiki.com!website.