Planet Solar, World's Largest Solar Powered Boat, Makes U.S. Debut in Miami June 3rd

MIAMI, FL, June 02, 2013 (Press-News.org) MS Turanor PlanetSolar, the world's largest, solar-powered yacht ever constructed, will sets sail this month on a transatlantic, scientific expedition to study climate change. In only 22 days, the vessel broke its existing Guinness World Record for completing the fastest transatlantic crossing with a solar boat, solely operated without any fuel or CO2 emissions.

The sun-powered, 102-ft. catamaran will dock in 16 different cities along its journey and make its U.S. debut with a stopover in Miami at Sunset Harbour Yacht Club (SHYC), South Florida's only five-star, certified green marina. To celebrate its arrival, a private press conference luncheon and VIP tour of the vessel will take place starting at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, June 3rd, with local dignitaries and government officials in attendance.

The expedition kicks off the vessel's second global tour and the launch of the 2013 "PlanetSolar Deep Water" expedition, where distinguished scientists from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) will collect data from air and water to study the key parameters of climate regulation, specifically atmospheric aerosols, phytoplankton and ocean eddies, whirlpools that carry large amounts of energy. In addition, the vessel will conduct environmental clean-up missions by collecting floating plastic waste and host educational events in port cities to raise public awareness of climate issues.

Locally, students from inner-city schools affiliated with Communities In Schools of Miami, the local chapter of the nation's leading dropout prevention organization, are scheduled to tour the vessel to learn more about climate regulation and environmental issues, a timely issue with hurricane season commencing June 1st.

The MS Turanor PlanetSolar's team will sail along the Gulf Stream's ocean current, one of the most important regulators of European and North American climates, from May to August. The expedition will be led by Professor Martin Beniston, climatologist and director of the Institute of Environmental Sciences at University of Geneva. One of the instruments installed onboard, the Biobox, which was developed by the applied physics group at UNIGE, is currently the only device capable of making a thorough analysis of aerosols using laser technology. It will be tested for the first time aboard the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar.
At the helm of MS Turanor PlanetSolar is Captain Gerard D'Aboville, the first man to row across two oceans solo: the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

"As a designated green marina, SHYC is committed to setting a precedent in the marine industry by partnering with several organizations like the PlanetSolar Deep Water expedition to raise awareness on climate control and marine eco-systems," said Doug Mason, general manager of SHYC. "By co-hosting socially responsible initiatives like this, SHYC helps to educate the public on preserving our waterways and the environment for future boating generations."

The MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, built in Kiel, Germany, is a catamaran powered exclusively by solar energy. On May 4, 2012, after sailing for 584 days and travelling more than 60,000 km, the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar completed the first solar-powered trip around the world.