May 30, 2007 — Japanese solo yachtsman Kenichi Horie launched a catamaran Wednesday for what is billed as the world's first-ever ocean-going voyage by a "wave-powered" vessel.
The innovative, all-aluminum Suntory Mermaid II is set for a 3,750-mile journey from Hawaii to the Kii peninsula, western Japan, next year.
"There is no limit to waves, like winds, as a power source. It is suitable for a long voyage," the 68-year-old Hori said after taking the 31-foot vessel for a short test run in the Setouchi Inland Sea.
"The sea was calm as usual in Setouchi today but the boat moved well. I can expect better results out in the open sea," he told AFP.
The three-ton catamaran, built at the Tsuneishi shipyard, has two parallel fins in front which convert wave movements into dolphin-like kicks to propel it. It carries an outboard motor and a sail for emergency use.
The boat is set to leave Honolulu in mid-March and is expected to move at an average three knots (3.5 miles per hour) for the trans-Pacific voyage over two and a half months.
Horie made headlines in 1962 when he completed a solo 94-day crossing of the Pacific aboard the yacht Mermaid, without a passport or money.
He was arrested upon arrival in San Francisco but the city mayor freed him, gave him a 30-day visa and made him an honorary citizen.
