Greta's Boat: Engine Or No Engine?

Greta Thunberg's boat, Malizia II, is a racing yacht that generates electricity through solar panels and underwater turbines. While the boat does not have a conventional engine, it carries an emergency combustion engine on board, which remains sealed and unused during Greta's transatlantic voyage to stay true to her message of sustainability. The yacht is also assisted by Torqeedo RIBs powered by electric engines during docking.

Greta Thunberg's boat, Malizia II, is powered by wind, sun and hydropower

Greta Thunberg's boat, Malizia II, is a racing yacht that generates power from wind, sun, and hydropower. The yacht is equipped with solar panels and underwater turbines to produce electricity for lighting and communication systems on board. This allows the boat to run all its systems, including navigation instruments, autopilots, and watermakers, ensuring a fully emission-free voyage. The boat does not have any toilets, kitchens, or showers, and conditions range from basic to difficult.

Thunberg chose to travel on the Malizia II to attend a climate change summit and avoid flying, which would have pumped close to 1,000kg of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The voyage on the racing yacht, which can reach speeds of 600 mph, demonstrates her commitment to reducing emissions and finding alternative means of transport. The journey is not just about convenience but also about staying true to her values and raising awareness about the climate emergency.

The Malizia II is an 18-metre (60-foot) yacht designed for speed and round-the-world challenges. It is one of the fastest ocean sailing boats on the planet. The yacht is built for speed rather than luxury, and the interior is sparse to reduce weight for high-speed journeys. The only alterations made for Thunberg's trip include fitted curtains in front of the bunk and comfortable mattresses.

The yacht is owned by Pierre Casiraghi, a member of Monaco's ruling Grimaldi family and the grandson of the late Prince Rainier III and actress Grace Kelly. The Malizia team has emphasized their commitment to sustainability and environmental protection, ensuring that the emergency combustion engine on board remains sealed and unused during Thunberg's voyage. While the engine will be fully operational for safety reasons, the yacht will rely solely on sails and wind power for propulsion.

The journey on the Malizia II is not just a means of transport for Thunberg but also a statement and a way to draw attention to the issue of climate change. By choosing this mode of travel, Thunberg showcases her dedication to her values and her willingness to endure discomfort to reduce her carbon footprint. The voyage is a testament to her activism and a powerful message to the world about the importance of exploring alternative, environmentally friendly options.

The boat has solar panels and underwater turbines

The Malizia II, the boat that took Greta Thunberg across the Atlantic, is a racing yacht designed for speed rather than luxury. It is one of the fastest ocean sailing boats in the world and has been modified to include solar panels and underwater turbines to produce electricity on board. The solar panels and turbines power the yacht's lighting and communication systems, and navigation instruments. The boat is also equipped with hydro-generators to ensure a fully emission-free transatlantic journey.

The Malizia II lacks many of the comforts of a typical yacht, such as a kitchen, toilet, and shower. Instead, it relies on blue plastic buckets for basic hygiene needs. The interior is sparse, with dim lighting, and the boat can be noisy and bumpy, even in moderate swells. Despite these challenges, Thunberg chose this mode of transport to avoid the carbon emissions associated with air travel.

The solar panels and underwater turbines on the Malizia II are essential components of its energy system. The solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity, while the underwater turbines generate power from the movement of the boat through the water. These two systems work independently to provide more than enough electricity for the yacht's needs.

In addition to the solar panels and turbines, the Malizia II also carries an emergency combustion engine on board for safety reasons. However, for Thunberg's transatlantic trip, the engine was officially sealed and not used, staying true to her message of sustainability and environmental protection. The boat's construction and design also contribute to its efficiency, with recycled dry carbon fibre and various resins being used in the building process.

The Malizia II is not just a statement of Thunberg's values but also a testament to the possibilities of alternative energy sources. By choosing this mode of transport, Thunberg demonstrates that it is possible to travel long distances without relying on fossil fuels. The boat's performance and the success of Thunberg's journey challenge conventional means of international travel and spark conversations about the practicality and potential of sustainable alternatives.

Overall, the Malizia II, with its solar panels and underwater turbines, represents a significant step towards more sustainable and environmentally conscious travel options.

It does have an emergency combustion engine on board but it was sealed for Greta's transatlantic trip

Climate activist Greta Thunberg made headlines when she set sail from Plymouth, UK, to New York, USA, in August 2019. Thunberg chose to make the journey by boat to avoid a plane journey for environmental reasons, opting for a zero-carbon option. The 16-year-old Swedish activist, along with her father, a cameraman, and a two-man crew, travelled on the Malizia II, an 18-metre (60ft) racing yacht.

The Malizia II is one of the fastest ocean sailing boats in the world and is equipped with solar panels and underwater turbines to generate electricity on board. The boat does not have any toilets, kitchens, or private spaces, making the voyage uncomfortable. The interior is sparse to reduce the weight of the boat for a high-speed journey.

While the Malizia II typically carries an emergency combustion engine, for Thunberg's transatlantic trip, the engine was sealed and not used. The voyage was intended to be consistent with Thunberg's message of sustainability and environmental protection. Instead, the yacht relied solely on sails for propulsion during the crossing. However, the journey was not entirely engine-free, as Torqeedo RIBs powered by electric engines assisted during docking manoeuvres at the start and finish.

The two-week voyage demonstrated that it is possible to travel long distances without relying on fossil fuels. Thunberg's decision to sail across the Atlantic highlighted her commitment to reducing emissions and served as a powerful statement for her climate activism. The trip also sparked discussions about the practicality and accessibility of such travel options for the average person.

The boat is not 100% engine-free as it is assisted by electric engines during docking

Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist, embarked on a two-week voyage across the Atlantic in August 2019. She chose to sail from Plymouth, UK, to New York, USA, on the Malizia II, a racing yacht, instead of flying, to stay true to her values of reducing emissions. Thunberg's journey aimed to raise awareness about the climate emergency and encourage people to pressure those in power to take action.

The Malizia II yacht is an 18-metre (60-foot) vessel designed for speed and endurance. It lacks the comforts typically found on luxury yachts, such as a toilet, kitchen, or shower. Instead, the interior is sparse, with only basic sleeping arrangements and dim lighting. The boat is powered by wind, sun, and hydropower, utilising solar panels and underwater turbines to generate electricity for lighting and communication systems.

While the Malizia II yacht primarily relies on renewable energy sources, it is not entirely engine-free. During docking manoeuvres at the start and finish of the journey, the yacht is assisted by Torqeedo RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) powered by electric engines. These engines help to tow the yacht in and out of port, ensuring a smooth and safe transition during these critical phases of the voyage.

The inclusion of electric engines during docking highlights the practical considerations necessary for operating a yacht, even one as environmentally conscious as the Malizia II. While the majority of the voyage is engine-free, adhering to safety protocols and manoeuvring in confined port areas require the additional assistance of these engines. This compromise between sustainability and functionality is a common challenge in the pursuit of environmentally friendly solutions.

In conclusion, Greta Thunberg's choice to sail across the Atlantic on the Malizia II yacht, despite the need for electric engines during docking, demonstrates her commitment to reducing carbon emissions and raising awareness about climate change. The journey showcased the potential of renewable energy sources in transportation while also underscoring the complexities of balancing idealism with practical realities.

The boat is not 100% zero-carbon due to the carbon fibre and construction materials used to build it

Greta Thunberg's boat, the Malizia II, is not 100% zero-carbon due to the materials used in its construction. While the boat is equipped with solar panels and underwater turbines to generate electricity, the construction of the boat involved the use of carbon fibre and other materials that have an environmental impact.

The Malizia II is a racing yacht, and building this type of boat requires approximately three tonnes of carbon fibre, moulds for the hull and deck, and various construction materials and resins. The boatyards that construct these yachts are aware of the environmental impact of the building process and aim for sustainability. They reuse moulds made with recycled dry carbon fibre for building multiple boats, and old carbon fibre material is turned into powder for use in resins. Additionally, all sorts of construction materials are recycled and reused on new boats.

Despite these efforts, the construction of the Malizia II did contribute to carbon emissions. Carbon fibre, a petrochemical material, is derived from fossil fuels, and the process of manufacturing it requires a significant amount of energy. The resins and other construction materials used also have their own carbon footprint.

Furthermore, the Malizia II carries an emergency combustion engine on board for safety reasons. Although the engine was officially sealed and not used during Greta's transatlantic trip, its presence means that the boat is not entirely engine-free or zero-carbon.

In conclusion, while Greta Thunberg's choice to sail across the Atlantic instead of flying was a lower-carbon option, the construction of her boat, the Malizia II, involved the use of carbon fibre and other materials that contribute to carbon emissions. Therefore, the boat is not 100% zero-carbon, but it still represents a more environmentally friendly alternative to air travel.

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