Team Malizia has been receiving a number of questions regarding the upcoming Atlantic crossing with Greta Thunberg, her father Svante Thunberg, filmmaker Nathan Grossman, founder of Team Malizia Pierre Casiraghi and skipper Boris Herrmann on board racing sailboat Malizia II. Below you can find some of the many questions that have been asked in view of this crossing.
How is Team Malizia involved in environmental protection?
Team Malizia and its associated Malizia Ocean Challenge is based on three main pillars: sailing, science and education. During all our sailing trips and races, we contribute actively to ocean research and study the impact of climate change on marine environments by measuring ocean CO2 and other sea surface data with our on-board laboratory. The results are published, made available to scientists and are public. In this context, we run an extensive and well-structured education programme engaging thousands of school children every year and drawing attention to the importance of environmental and ocean protection, the impact of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the world’s oceans. Team Malizia have recently joined the UN-initiative “Sports for Climate Action” proving once more the team’s serious commitment when it comes to environmental responsibility, reducing climate impact and active climate protection. Finally, we recycle our used sails, avoid using plastic and run a completely paperless campaign. We have processed a carbon footprint assessment of our team, which is currently being verified and will be subsequently published.
Is Team Malizia going to use the boat’s engine during the crossing?
Malizia carries an emergency combustion engine on board in accordance with the IMOCA Class Rule 2019 V.1.1, number C.6.1 (a): “A motor […] shall be permanently installed, permanently attached to the boat and not moved”. This is a safety measure prescribed by the International Monohull Open Class Association (IMOCA). During the normal season we use the engine only to a minimum extent, namely, to safely approach and leave the dock and marinas.
Now, for Greta’s transatlantic trip, the engine will not be used at all so as to be consistent with Greta’s as well as Team Malizia’s message of sustainability and environmental protection. In fact, the engine will be officially sealed before setting off for the crossing. Although the engine will stay turned off at all times, it will remain fully operational and ready to use in case of an emergency situation, in order to respect the IMOCA Class Rule. The safety of crew and boat is always of prime importance for us.
Will Malizia II be accompanied by other support vessels during the crossing?
We will not have any support vessels travelling with us or accompanying us at sea during the crossing. At the start and finish, we will have Torqeedo RIBs powered by electric engines to assist us during docking manoeuvres as well as to tow Malizia out of and back into port.
Malizia’s cruising speed is well above 16 knots, the distance from the UK to New York is over 3000 nautical miles long and we will be sailing non-stop over two weeks time in the sea area of the North Atlantic Ocean, making it very difficult if not impossible for a power-driven vessel to travel with us.
How is the electricity needed to run all the boat’s systems generated?
Malizia is equipped with a state-of-the-art 1,3kW solar system (see here for more information) and additionally with two hydro-generators, which are permanently installed on the stern of the boat and were specifically designed for IMOCA 60s. With these two independently working systems, we generate more electricity than we actually need on board. Both energy sources allow us to run all the systems and electronics on board continuously – navigation instruments, autopilots, watermakers as well as our SubCtech ocean laboratory. So, we will be able to complete the transatlantic trip fully emission free.
Has Team Malizia received financial support particularly for taking Greta on board?
We as Team Malizia have not received any additional funding to do the transatlantic crossing and we have not asked Greta including her team to pay for it. We have decided to offer our services sailing from the UK to New York without use of fossil fuels and dedicate our time and attention to this transatlantic trip. We fully support Greta’s cause and message. Team Malizia are a relatively small team with 5 to 8 specialists working full time at different race periods and we have one of the smaller budgets in the IMOCA class. Additionally, it has to be noted that Team Malizia lease the German-registered boat named Malizia II, an IMOCA 60, which has been purchased 2nd hand by a German owner back in 2016. The boat was originally built in 2015 by Multiplast in Vannes / France.
Is the transatlantic crossing really zero carbon, given that Greta will be sailing on board a 60ft carbon fibre racing sailboat?
The leading French sailing magazine Voiles et Voiliers has recently asked the heads of Multiplast boatyard and CDK Technologies about the environmental impact when building an IMOCA 60. To build this type of race boat, 3 tons of carbon fibre, moulds for hull and deck, a number of construction materials and various resins (baked at 120° during the construction process) are needed. Both boatyards are well aware of the resulting and indisputable environmental impact during boat construction and therefore attach great importance on a sustainable building process: Moulds are built with recycled dry carbon fibre and reused for building the hulls and decks of several new boats – not just one, old carbon fibre material is turned into powder and reused in resins for further construction, all sorts of construction materials are recycled and reused on new boats, in addition to continually pursuing sustainable developments in the boat building domain, notably the use of natural fibres. In the end, once constructed, an IMOCA works with the wind, reducing its carbon footprint with every mile sailed.
Has Malizia II been specifically modified for the upcoming transatlantic trip?
The interior of Malizia is very bare and fully optimised for high-speed offshore racing. This includes keeping the weight of the boat and all its equipment down to a minimum. We have made no major alterations in view of the trip to New York except for fitting curtains in front of the bunk as well as adding comfortable mattresses for better sleeping. Note that there are no toilet, fixed shower, cooking facilities and proper beds. The boat’s interior is characterised by lack of comfort. Greta and her team are fully aware of the living conditions to be expected on board.
How safe is the Atlantic crossing with Team Malizia?
First of all, Malizia will be skippered by team founder and experienced sailor Pierre Casiraghi and professional, world-class sailor Boris Herrmann, who has already sailed around the world three times and has completed countless transatlantic crossings, including training passages as well as transat races on board Malizia. During the entire time of the crossing with Greta and the crew, we will be having some of the most experienced and best prepared shore support teams accompanying and monitoring the journey around the clock from land. All persons and teams involved in the trip have been planning the crossing for many months with utmost care and attention. Malizia is a fully-equipped, perfectly maintained, safe and reliable racing boat, which is officially registered in the IMOCA class and consequently operates in accordance with the strict IMOCA Class Rules. Earlier this season, the boat underwent rigorous and extensive testing of its entire structure, rigging, appendices and on-board components as prescribed by the class guidelines.
How will Greta’s meals look like on board?
Greta will be eating a variety of freeze-dried and vacuum-packed vegan meals on the boat, which can be prepared in all weather conditions with minimum effort and minimum use of energy.
Will we be able to follow Malizia and Greta’s trip?
Yes you will be able to follow the trip live from both our websites, on a live tracker which will give you lots of other information along the way. www.borisherrmannracing.com
Lieber Boris,
ich habe mit großem Interesse die Reisevorbereitungen für die Atlantiküberquerung mit Greta gelesen und wünsche Euch vollen Erfolg. Viele Grüße Dieter (KYC) und in Erinnerung an unser Treffen in Wellington auf Deiner Weltumsegelung.
This is a wonderful thing.
I would love to come and see the boat off in the UK.. Do you have details of where you are leaving from and where.
Best of luck to you all
Wonderful idea & so interesting. What a great service & message of hope you are instilling in us!
Just how many miles have to be covered to make the boat ‘carbon neutral’, what about all of the electronic components????
If you take away those parts of the boat derived from fossil fuels, what is left?
Virtue-signalling green blobbery.
Tracker boat (Dual Volvo Diesel V8s) Return Transtlantic Journey.
Transatlantic flight to NY by return crew.
Transatlantic flight to Europe by outbound crew
Transatlantic return flight by Thurnberg Family to US
Transtlantic flight to Europe by St. Greta.
Lieber Boris, ich wünsche Dir, Greta und den anderen an Bord eine spannende, erfolgreiche und gelungene Fahrt. Das ist ein wirklich großartiges Unternehmen und ich habe Respekt vor diesem Törn.
Alles Gute und kommt heil an. Liebe Grüße von ULLA
This is a very inspiring and adventurous undertaking; one can only hope that the naysayers, cynics and climate-change-deniers (Trump, OPEC etc.) are able to change their attitude some time soon.
Is there any possibility of this kind of ocean crossing becoming commercially available/viable at some stage??
It is all well and good to say how great this environmentally friendly demonstration is, but, what was the carbon footprint of the vessel from it’s inception to the finished product? The energy of the people, the energy of the building, the energy of the products the vessel is made of ie. carbon fiber, fiberglass, epoxy and the polyester resin, the making of the engine the electrical components the ballast, what is that made of …cast iron? etc. What I am trying to say is obvious and it took more energy to make this vessel that most of us would expend in a thousand lifetimes. Also, who is she and her parents working for by conveniently showing up on Canada’s doorstep on the eve of an election. We all know what mess the world is in but we are working on it together and don’t need the timely advice of a misguided 16 year old Swede. She should have been informed not only about how environmentally friendly her 60 ft yacht is but she should have been informed about energy needed for the complete construction of her vessel as well. She has being duped.. used as a mouth piece to say things that her parents and other people around simply can not. That is, that they are a large part of the global warming issue by their privileged status in society, their gigantic carbon footprints themselves. Maybe if she knew the whole vessel story we would not have ever heard of her, her parents and her vessel.
How will she come back or will Trump keep her there?
more importantly what is the carbon footprint of the crew flying out to take the boat back
Thnx to the team Malizia for your idea to help the worlds children nad our future planet!
I´m also confident that you will take good care of you selfes and Greta! Kind Regards!
Thanks to @borisherrmann and crew for this lift! The sailing community is proud of you. We like to thank as well for Boris great sign he made for us in Hamburg at Artville: Check it out at (link: http://www.signsforfuture.org) signsforfuture.org https://www.instagram.com/signs_for_future/ @SignsForFuture #signsforfuture
Good luck
Thank you for being so environmentally conscious in all that you do, and for working with Greta and providing her passage to continue her amazing work urging powerful world leaders to use their power for good.
I have all the admiration in the world for what you are doing!
Wie lautet die AIS Kennung der Malizia?
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Gerald Hütter
There are reports in the media that there are several people using aircrafts to retrieve the vessel and bring it back to Europe.
Is this true and how is Greta supposed to return to her home country?
Gratulation an das Team Malizia
für dieses tolle Engagement und ich ich wünsche Greta und dem Team an Bord einen guten Verlauf
Ihrer Reise . Kommt gut an.
Gerhard Höll
Because I am a long distance sailor too and know about those starlit nights, inspiring all sorts of discussions, I am wondering whether little Greta’s ideas are being debated on board: For instance the obvious question how the little girl with the big ego who rarely goes to school has come across the knowledge necessary to decide whether CO2 really influences world climate. I bet nobody on the boat even dares to touch the topic!
The real question is how someone as old and wise as you has failed to gain the understanding that a 16 year old has. Greta’s quest is simple and brilliant. Don’t fear her. Follow her.
The questions that Greta rises have been asked by youngsters during many decades, but many generations of youngsters did not have access ti social media (which by the way have an enormous evironmental impact). These questions have also been asked by US engineers and scientists more than 100 years ago.
Unfortunately, whilst Greta’s questions are legitimate (although not new) I have the feeling that she is becoming a media project instead of an environmental activist with a solid science base.
It is easy to identify environmental issues, but stimulating a whole generation to start nagging about these rather than going to school and gaining knowledge to do someting about these issues is probably not the way forward.
As she has always said..it is not her making this up..it’s science, by scientists..it is not a belief. I wish you happiness and peace., and a world that still cares.
Greta is an inspiration and it is wonderful that Team Malizia/Yacht Club de Monaco and Boris Herrmann Racing have taken on the job of bringing her to speak to the United Nationas.
Very good initiative to give Greta a lift to NY.
What will happen with the boat and team after arriving to New York?
Will you participate in a race? Which one? When?
Or will you sail back to UK directly? In that case, did you only cross the Atlantic for Greta?
The reason for asking is to give all negative voices I see on Facebook and newspapers a real comment, as many of them are just speculating.
Fair winds _______ /)______☀️
Gratulation zu dieser sehr gelungenen Homepage und der Greta-PR-Kampagne. Sie sollten allerdings dringend auch den Merchandise-Shop freischalten, bevor der Wind sich dreht. Mit dem Erlös aus dem Verkauf von – ich vermute mal Bio-Cotton-T-Shirts, Segeltuchtaschen und Basmbus-Coffe-to-Go-Tassen an klimastreikende Schüler – lassen sich sicher viele weitere schöne und die Öffentlichkeit wachrüttelnde Ausflüge gemeinsam mit monegassischen Adelsfamilienmitgliedern finanzieren.
I’d love to go to NYC to greet the Malizia when she arrives with Greta and her dad. Where will she dock?
Chris Riddle, Amherst, MA
Die Hälfte habt Ihr schon geschafft! Weiterhin viel Erfolg mit diesem fantastischen Boot und passt gut auf Greta auf. Sie hat so ein Glück von euch unterstützt zu werden.
Watching the tracker, this morning you backtracked a while and drifted at about 1 knot. Did you retrieve anything lost overboard? Just wondering. Good luck with the remainder of the journey. I applaud Greta for speaking truth to power, also for sailing. I love it! Lived in Stockholm for 13 years.
..some somewhat lunatic landlubber on board got the out-of-this-wold idea of putting a toe into the water for a “taste check” thingey. Hmm, delirious. So time came to a screeching slow mo of unusual affairs so to speak…
Celebro muchisimo que pueda fusionarse una gran causa, con alguien mediático y un equipo a vela profesional.
El Mundo entero requiere tomar conciencia, y urgentemente, y cuanto mayor atención se consiga mejor!!
Muy buenos Vientos!!!
Y ojala algun dia lleguen al Sur!
Bleibt ihr in der MB Marina oder segelt ihr noch unter der Hängebrücke durch?
Finders and makers, abreast the curve of future generations,
render the dolphin spirit to times arrow, times cycle.
who actually owns the boat?
Oavsett vilken typ av bräde du köper ska det vara minst 6 ” längre än din egen höjd.
Ju bredare brädet, desto stabilare på vågorna