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Posted: Saturday 11 October, 2008 at 7:54 AM
Logon to vibesbvi.com... British Virgin Islands News 
GIS Press Release

                           Premier affirms environmental awareness as BVI hosts earthrace


    Premier Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE poses with the crew of Earthrace at the press conference on Friday, October 10. Photo Credit: Mr. Aldrin Rabsatt/GIS
    Roadtown, Tortola - Premier and Minister for Tourism Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE today asserted the environmental consciousness of BVIslanders as the Territory began playing host to the eco-boat, Earthrace.

    The boat which has just set a new record for travelling around the world and is now on its way back to its home port New Zealand, via Australia, arrived in the BVI this morning.

     

    Welcoming the crew, Premier O’Neal said it is a real pleasure to have them visit and also noted that the boat will make a stop in Virgin Gorda as well. The Premier assured the crew of Earthrace that residents of the Territory are environmentally conscious.

     

    “People here in the BVI, as people should be all over the world, care about the environment and are very concerned and do not want to see the place just destroyed by not paying attention to the environment,” he told those gathered at the press conference which followed the boat’s arrival.

     

    The Premier also confirmed Government’s commitment to ensuring sustainable development as exemplified by its exploration of alternative energy sources. “We are also concerned about energy and we are launching a programme to use renewable sources of

    Earthrace crew member Ms. Sarala Sharma delivering remarks at the press conference on Friday, October 10.  Photo Credit: Mr. Aldrin Rabsatt/GIS
    energy and in our agriculture, we are heading for the greenhouses and several other things that will help to enhance the environment.”

     

    BVI Tourist Board’s Lynette Harrigan also extended words of welcome to the crew of Earthrace and noted that their stop in the BVI will help to further promote the Territory as a tourist destination.

     

    The eco-boat is valued at $3 million and is operated by a five-member volunteer crew. Crew member Ms. Sarala Sharma described it as a uniquely designed vessel, constructed as a wavepiercer, “the only one in the world of this kind.”

     

    With a mission to spread the word about the environment and the importance of protecting it, Earthrace uses 100-percent bio-diesel which was provided by a Portuguese based company.

     

    Ms. Sharma stressed the importance of using alternative sources of energy to ensure future sustainability of resources. “With the idea of having a wavepiercer to circumnavigate the globe, you still need to re-fuel in certain places and this allows us to spread more word about thinking about the environment for the future,” she said.

     

    Premier Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE as he delivered remarks at the Earthrace Press Conference. Photo Credit: Mr. Aldrin Rabsatt/GIS
    Responding to a question about why a stop in the BVI, Ms. Sharma said the BVI was a logical choice. ”With the knowledge of the way that you are really trying to tackle environmental issues, it seemed like a logical idea to come and see what an amazing area this is to preserve for the future.”

     

    Earthrace was initially launched in 2006 but failed in its mission and was re-launched on April 27 this year, completing its trip around the world in 60 days, 23 hours and 49 minutes, taking almost 14 days off the previous record.

     

    The Earthrace crew member commended residents of the Territory for its environmental awareness. “We are really privileged to be in the BVI when it is so aware of how we need to start thinking about the environment and maybe, bio-diesel is not the solution but we really want to promote, especially for the younger generations.”

     

    She further stated that the crew is eager to meet with the children of the Territory to see what questions they have about the environment and how educated they are on the subject.  A plaque was presented to the captain and crew of the eco-boat at today’s press conference. Earthrace leaves the BVI on Monday 13th October.

     

    Premier O’Neal has commended the agencies that made it possible for the boat to visit and promote environmental consciousness. Government is committed to ensuring the environment is properly managed to protect and preserve the abundant natural inheritance of the Virgin Islands.

     

    ~~Adz:Right~~

     

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