Singapore's huge efforts keep Earthrace in race

'Earthrace To Singapore' Earthrace Media Click Here to view large photo

On Friday, Day 39 of her world record attempt, Earthrace the 78 foot bio-diesel fuelled trimaran, reached Singapore running on just one engine. She is three quarters of the way round the world on her record attempt.

Off Palau, 800 miles east of the Philippines last weekend, Earthrace hit a submerged object snapping blades off her port propeller and bending her port drive shaft.

New Zealand skipper Peter Bethune headed 2,200 miles to the next stop-over point Singapore for repairs, as Palau was too remote for repairs to be contemplated.

Amazingly Earthrace arrived on Friday morning and by the afternoon she had been hauled out at the POSH Semco Salvage Specialists, with the underwater inspection already completed.

What the team found is nothing short of the largest 'test' for boat and team alike, since the start of their record attempts back in 2007.

The P bracket support arm and cutlass bearing are both cracked and the damaged propeller shaft is not repairable.

Earthrace Haul 1 - Earthrace Media Click Here to view large photo

All is not lost though.. a new, sponsored shaft is being built at the machine shop of TT Technical Services. The new shaft was generously sponsored by Singapore business Assetton (alternative investment solutions) and should be available by Sunday morning local time.

Meanwhile the broken P bracket is another challenge for the team. A composite expert has been located and will be looking for a 'quick fix' to get the damaged Earthrace back in the water by the hard pressed Monday deadline.

Adrian Erangy, Operations manager stated 'we decided on a Monday launch to claw back on lost day on the record.'

To make the deadline on such 'a time recovering schedule', the complete team is working around the clock.

It has not been an easy task. Before the haul out, all the Earthrace fuel tanks had to be pumped dry into shore side totes. A lifting cage to spread the load of the single lifting crane had to arranged and supports built that would not further damage the delicate, light weight Earthrace.

Earthrace Haul 2 - Earthrace Media Click Here to view large photo

Earthrace CEO Fiona Clark said: 'this week has seen the biggest challenge for us on Ground Crew; we arrived in Singapore on Monday night with no drive shaft, no shipyard and no money for repairs.

'With enormous support locally and from team members past and present abroad, we've been able to haul the boat the day she arrived and start on repairs.

'Particular thanks to POSH Semco who came onboard at the eleventh hour and with huge professionalism, undertook the major job of lifting Earthrace.

'Assetton was the first Singapore sponsor to pledge support, so we knew we could get the drive shaft made without delay, and TTT dropped everything to do it.

'Alpha Synovate Biofuels have helped us clear our fuel from customs and current Presenting Sponsors Cummins, ZF Marine, Germanischer Lloyd and PPG have all lent support.

'We still have a big job to do and we still need support to finish repairs, but work is happening and I'm hopeful we'll be back in the water and the race early next week.'

The Earthrace support seems and certainly needs to keep coming.

Current Presenting Sponsor Justin Beeton from JB Global Australia, has just confirmed their presenting sponsorship for the Australian Tour and as Host Sponsor for the Earthrace Tour in Sydney in Jan/Feb 2009. Justin will also be guest crew for the last race leg, along with Paul Topley from Churches Fire Security.