Solar Panels to Power Solo Rower on Trip Across Atlantic
22-year-old Katie Spotz has set out on an ambitious journey to become the youngest person ever to make the 2,500-mile trip across the Atlantic Ocean using nothing but a set of oars. She will depart from Senegal on the west coast of Africa and row her custom rowboat to Cayenne, French Guiana. Spotz will do all the rowing all the time, without any aid from sail or motor.
The rowboat was designed by Phil Morrison, an accomplished rower, and is equipped with a number of important amenities. The rowboat is self-righting, and other boats of the same design have already conquered 30-foot waves and hurricanes. It has two airtight containers at either end of the boat that aid buoyancy and house food supplies and Spotz’s gear, which includes a water desalination machine, GPS system, radios, satellite phone and laptop from which she will blog during her journey.
Solar panels mounted on the boat will power all electronic devices on board. Spotz will be alone at sea for about three months using nothing but solar power to maintain contact with the world.
Photo Credit: Cleveland.com
Posted on February 16th in Solar News by Dan.
February 17th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
It makes sense to use solar panels to provide power during her journey, but that’s a trek that I would never attempt on my own…that’s a brave woman!