Voyage on waves

Kenichi Horie, who has crossed the Pacific in a solar-powered boat made of recycled aluminium, is getting ready for his next solo sea adventure.

The 69-year-old Japanese sailor will set out March 16 on what he says will be the world’s longest voyage in a wave-powered boat. Speaking through a translator at the Hawaii Yacht Club, Mr. Horie said he would travel more than 6,400 km from Honolulu to Japan aboard a 3-tonne yacht called the Suntory Mermaid II at a speed of up to 5 knots. The boat made of recycled aluminium relies on the energy of waves to move two fins at its bow and propel it forward. Mr. Horie said it is a sturdy vessel, designed to right itself if it capsizes. But it is equipped with an engine and an 11-m sail mast for emergencies. The journey, which would take a diesel-powered boat about 10 days to complete, is expected to take him about 2.5 months. Solar panels atop the catamaran will power the microwave, and Mr. Horie will have a satellite phone and access to e-mail. A spokesman promoting the voyage said the sailor hoped the shipping industry would eventually adopt the clean wave technology.

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