Plastiki: Across the Pacific on Plastic: An Adventure to Save Our Oceans by David de Rothschild

Author:David de Rothschild
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Pacific Ocean, Ecology, Boating, Sailing, Pacific Ocean - Description and Travel, Science, Travel, Nature, Oceans & Seas, Life Sciences, Sports & Recreation, General, Pacific Ocean - Environmental Conditions, Environmental Conservation & Protection, Australia & Oceania, Marine Resources Conservation - Pacific Ocean, Ecosystems & Habitats, Marine Resources Conservation, Plastiki (Boat)
ISBN: 9781452100029
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Published: 2011-03-16T21:46:14+00:00

FELL ASLEEP ON THE FORE DECK UNDER AN AWNING, WOKEN UP TO THE SUN TRYING TO TRACK ME DOWN, THE BODY’S HYDRATION LEVEL IS MIDDLE OF THE RD!

@DREXPLORE 3:07 P.M., APRIL 14, 2010

INSIDE A WHALE’S STOMACH

Did junk food kill a 36-foot gray whale that washed up dead on a beach near Seattle in May 2010? Biologists aren’t sure whether the whale mistook garbage for food or accidentally swept it in during normal feeding, but when they cut open its stomach, here’s what they found:

EARTH DAY WAS A HIGH POINT OF THE VOYAGE: INTERVIEWS HELPED BEAM PLASTIKI’S MESSAGE OUT TO THE WORLD, AND VERN WOULD SOON WELCOME HIS FIRST CHILD.

At 10:18 a.m., Melinda gave one last push. “It’s a boy! Whoo, whoo, it’s a boy! I love you!” yelled Vern. “He’s going to forgive his father for not being there. He’s going to understand the adventure.” Hugs and heartfelt congratulations filled the tiny cabin. We were happy to confirm via video that little William definitely did not have a handlebar mustache like his dad. “That was difficult. To see my wife going through all that and not being able to touch her,” reflected Vern. “It felt like watching a professional basketball player—you just watch, captivated, in awe, at how that person is able to do that. Melinda was so strong and confident that I was almost lost for words and emotion. She just knew what she needed to do and did it.”

If time seemed to slow to a crawl after the excitement of witnessing the delivery of Vern’s mid-Pacific, Earth Day baby, it was probably because Plastiki was barely making 1 knot. At 3 degrees north of the equator, the wind all but died. We were making forward progress, but on a trajectory that would have us miss Christmas Island by nearly 100 miles. Next stop, Samoa.

Jo, Mr. T, and I wanted to land Plastiki under her own power, but that wasn’t going to happen. Plastiki had a mind of her own. Were it not for our commitments to Max, Olav, and Vern, I would have been happy to let the wind take us to the next island, whatever that might be. We had the food, and now we had the necessary water. We were in constant contact with expedition manager Matthew Grey, who had been on the ground on Christmas Island for several weeks making preparations for our arrival. “Uh, Matt, we’re going to need a tow to get in,” radioed Jo. “Got it. Already have one lined up,” replied Matt.

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