Earthrace, the Barbados to Barbados bid to break the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a powerboat using only renewable fuels, started on Saturday. It will have a stop-over in Malta on 18 April.

The Malta visit has been made possible with the collaboration of bio-diesel producers EORC Malta. During its short stay in Malta, the boat will be berthed at the Grand Harbour Marina in Vittoriosa, which has offered their support free of charge in view of the environmental nature of the project.

Circumnavigating the globe represents the pinnacle of powerboat challenges, and at 24,000 nautical miles, it is also the world’s longest race. The Earthrace aims to smash the current record by completing the voyage in under 65 days, and will mark the first time in history that an official UIM powerboat record will be attempted using renewable fuel. The current record of 75 days was set by the British boat Cable & Wireless in 1998.

Earthrace is backed by a crew of nine and those on board are skipper Pete Bethune, cinematographer Ryan Heron, engineer Anthony Distefano, and leg sponsors Bruce Sharp and Paul Farrington.

The unofficial race start time was 12:08:26 UTC and the attempt began from Carlyle Bay, Barbados.

The first leg of the race is from Barbados to Panama, 1,250 nautical miles. Skipper Pete Bethune plans on travelling continually at 24 knots, arriving in Panama after 52 hours.

Earthrace is a non-profit organisation run by volunteers with the desire to make a global conservational difference, while also setting the world circumnavigation record.

The Earthrace is the highest-profile powerboat in the world, as well as one of the greenest. It is a showcase of environmentally friendly technologies such as low-emissions engines, non-toxic anti-foul and efficient hull design.