Last week the Voyage for Cleaner Energy 2041 yacht, skippered by Conor Fogerty, stopped over in Port Elizabeth as a safe haven to wait out the particularly bad weather pattern that hit our coastline on 18 May 2012.
See: 2041 Voyage for Cleaner Energy Yacht’s Unscheduled PE Stop.
Conor and his crew slipped moorings from the ABYC and left Port Elizabeth today at 14h30 on their way down to Cape Town and are confident that they will make landfall on 20 June 2012 in Rio De Janeiro – hold thumbs.
“I am most impressed with the friendly hospitality that Port Elizabeth offered us,” said Conor before leaving. He also promised to spread the word about our gem of a city amongst his sailing mates. Who knows maybe one day soon we will see the Volvo Ocean Race boats stopping over in Port Elizabeth?
Restaurant patrons across the city have all contributed to the voyage as 2041, true to their green credentials, filled up with biofuel from Greentech Biodiesel – a young green company that collects used cooking oil from restaurants across the city and turns it into biodiesel. Go easy on that biodiesel Conor, it is filled with Port Elizabeth love – the best you can get!
Three major sponsors also put up their hands to assist Conor and his crew whilst they were here in Port Elizabeth:
- Protea Hotels put the crew up in “swanky apartments” and fed them daily
- Pick ‘n Pay provided 2041 with a debit card to revictual the yacht
- Coca Cola sponsored 2041’s trip acros to Rio De Janeiro
Conor was coy about the total value of the sponsorship but I shall hazard a guess that between the companies above Port Elizabeth has contributed in excess of R100 000.00 to spreading the green message.
Of course the ABYC provided 2041 with a few memories (headaches?) as well.
Alan Straton
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Thanks to all in Port Elizabeth. PE was a unexpected stop, but the hospitality was amazing, and to have locals come forth and help us get to the world summit in RIO, Brazil, just shows the genuine fact, that PE is an international sailing destination, with companies and local communities behind it.
Thanks again for your support.
Captain Conor Fogerty, sailing yacht 2041.
Thanks Conor – I am pleased to see that you made Rio ahead of schedule. Maybe one day I will do that trip again. Safe sailing.