Greenheart appeal - make the Greenship dream a reality

by Des Ryan on 27 Nov 2009 Around the world sailors and coastal dwellers who observe the sea and air in decline and read the supporting science are embarking on desperate moves to avoid 'simply standing by and doing nothing'.

From organisations such as 'Sailors for the Sea' and 'Ocean Watch' have come some amazing efforts, and here is another one - 'Greenheart', who is appealing for funds to make their Green cargo ship into a reality.

Motivated by the challenge to preserve and renew our air and oceans, their idea is to create a low-cost, zero-emissions small cargo ship that uses environmentally clean and sustainable sail and solar power to be launched before the end of next year.

The longer vision is to provide needy coastal communities around the world with an affordable means of transport. They see that such ships could help impoverished coastal and island regions improve their standards of living, while preserving their traditions and protecting the environment.

The vessel they have in mind is a solar- and wind-powered cargo sailing ship which will be able to sail around the world, completely independent of fossil fuels, visiting both developed and developing countries on a multiple mission of sustainable development and environmental protection. A secondary mission is to represent fair trade and, of course, education.

The Greenheart project is currently focused on the bottom line, fundraising with an ambitious goal of having their first ship in the water by the end of 2010.

To this end they have in mind an online auction, and are looking for green-hearted marine companies to donate goods. They are looking for pledges of marine equipment and services to be placed in their soon to be launched charity auction site www.greenheartproject.org/auction.html .

The organisation is promising good exposure for marine companies willing to be involved.

If you can assist, please contact Gavin Allwright at gavall [at] greenheartproject.org. For more information about the Greenheart project, go to their comprehensive www.greenheartproject.org!website, which explains thoroughly their concepts, organisation and goals. The organisation has backing from many countries of the world, but is currently based in Japan.