A few months ago David Pike contacted me at Make Hay looking for support and to tell me about his plans.

He explained with great enthusiasm about his preparations to set sail on a voyage that would educate us about our impact on the environment in places that most of us may never visit. “I want to tell the stories that no-one is telling or wants to tell”, he said and from then I knew this was something special to be involved in.

There are many, many opportunities for you to be involved too so read on!

I invited David to tell us all about his yacht, the support he needs and his plans to get us all involved in promoting respect for our planet…

Q. David, welcome to GGG what you’re planning to do is pretty amazing where did the idea come from and what motivates you?

I have been passionate about adventure travel and discovery since I was a small boy in infant school, the great Captain James Cook was married in my local church which adjoined the infant school I attended and he was and still is my hero. While other kids were collecting swapping and sticking pictures of football players in there books I was reading the Collins atlas working out the route I would take when I was old enough, (I still have the Collins Atlas I was bought at the age of 10 and it travels everywhere with me).

At the age of 16 I went to sea as an ordinary seaman and I have worked around the ocean ever since. My ambition and dream in life has always been to circumnavigate the globe on my own yacht.

Combining my love for ocean life, adventure, wildlife and conservation and the ever increasing situations the planet is facing from man’s impact on the global environment, I feel I have a unique opportunity to promote change and more respect and understanding for our planet

Q. When will your voyage begin and what route will you take?

The Atlantic crossing will mark the beginning of the circumnavigation / expedition the plan is to cross the Atlantic this Nov 2007 to Brazil (Angra Dos Reis) which is south of Rio de Janeiro and hosts 365 tropical islands “that’s 1 for every day of the year”

From there we will travel north along the coast on the way to the Caribbean and beyond.

During your expedition you will be making documentaries, what will the films say and how do they differ from anything we have seen before?

The mission and primary goal for this expedition is to increase the public’s awareness of their impact on our Earth.

Through film our Projects will further our understanding of the complexity and interrelated nature of environmental issues, wildlife, conservation, culture, pollution and poverty and communicate our findings in a factual and unbiased, manner. The key objective to each and every filming project will be to present a diverse and independent voice that might otherwise go unheard or seen. Projects that have the potential for immediate impact on personal choices and consumer behavior and inspire individuals to actively participate in being part of the solution to environmental and humanitarian issues. Projects that are produced and executed in accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards.

With a dedicated film crew we will be able to produce documentaries at a fraction of the cost of major production companies, visit otherwise inaccessible locations, but more importantly on how we live and work. Living aboard an eco friendly yacht, using the sun and wind for power and not using diesel but a clean fuel for the yachts engine, the team / crew will live breath and promote a greener way. Oh, and one other thing the yacht is 14tonns of Ferro Cement and not 14 tonns of plastic. I never wanted a plastic yacht for many reasons including trying to reduce my own carbon footprint, as much as possible.

Q. You’ve been working very hard to get the yacht prepared for this circumnavigation is there any equipment that you still need?

Over the past 4 years I have basically rebuilt the yacht in preparation for this expedition and yes there is still equipment that the team will need. Some of if is essential and some is non essential, from special inflatable canoes that we will use for expeditions up the Amazon, for example to a new outboard engine for the dingy. I have a list of things but I am hoping that we can get the equipment we will need from sponsors and supporters.

Q. For the right people there are some fantastic opportunities to be involved in this voyage can you tell us what those opportunities are?

CREW
There are only 3 types of people that sail on a ship “Pirates, passengers and crew,” and I am looking for crew, but a very special crew, ideally made up of 3 max 4 people. They will have the combined skills to create, develop, direct, produce, edit a documentary while living and sailing aboard the yacht.

Living aboard an ocean going yacht is to say the least an alternative way of living but I would like to stress that apart from crossing oceans like the Atlantic or the Pacific the expedition will follow the coast line and touch land most days. The yacht will simply be the home for the production crew as opposed to a hotel room for conventional production crews, needless to say apart from thier professional skills. They will need to have a genuine love for wildlife conservation, the ocean and adventure with a passion for the outdoor life and the ability to improvise, adapt and overcome.

They will have the unique opportunity to help build and establish the production company / organisation and share in all the benefits.

I have seen on many documentaries, and I am sure you will agree, that a small independent and dedicated team can produce and deliver excellent stories.

SEAPACKERS
Apart from the film crew there is enough space aboard to invite 2 people every month for a period of a month. They will be known as ‘SeaPackers’. As this expedition in its nature is about adventure, discovery, travel and education, I would like to take full advantage of the space aboard. They will come from all walks of life but with the right marketing we will be able to focus on particular groups e.g. students from marine biologists, trainee seaman, divers, wildlife film makers, photographers, and free spirited travellers, people from various environmental organisations and groups.

They will be asked to contribute to the daily running costs of the yacht, food, fuel, mooring fees, but more importantly bringing different people on board will add to the content and stories we will tell. In addition, as a floating production company Earth Reporter will have external and internal cameras and will film the day to day activities on the yacht from the fish that is caught for supper to the chat around the table (a real reality show). They will be encouraged to take part in our productions from presenting a documentary to assisting in expeditions away from the yacht. Each Seapacker will leave with their own personalised DVD of their time aboard, along with a sea miles certificate which will be a great help to them as part of a CV.

We all have something to share and learn, but as a team we can do something positive and that is speaking for those who cannot speak and telling the stories that no one wants to tell, while keeping it inspirational and educational and not forgetting fun to be a part of.

So if you want to reduce your carbon footprint. How about swapping it for a pair of deck shoes or a set of flippers, and help in promoting change? Whether you would like to be a member of the live aboard film crew, or join Earth Reporter for a month as a Seapacker I would love to hear from you.

ARTISTS
I would like to paint a storyboard on the side of the yacht. I feel that I have a fantastic opportunity to paint the yacht how I like and I cannot think of anything better than painting both sides of the yacht in a mural. The Theme of the mural will be humanity, nature, wildlife, conservation, poverty, pollution and promoting more respect for the environment “MAKING GREEN WAVES” . This will help us in promoting the expedition and its cause and any partners, supporters or sponsors that are involved with us.

Who and where can we find the creative talent that would like to have the unique opportunity of designing and painting the yacht?????

This will not be a paid position, but more importantly to the individual or company that designs and commissions the work, they will be actively taking part in promoting change as well as their art. This is a truly unique opportunity for whoever has the artistic ability to come up with the design, they will get their work seen all over the world. The process of painting the theme on the yacht will be professionally filmed with interviews etc and a chance for the artist(s) to come on board with the expedition, links to our website and much more.

SUPPORTERS / SPONSORS
Taking full advantage of the yacht and the potential as a tool for promoting a greener way. I would like to offer a unique opportunity to the right type of companies and organizations or individuals that would like to promote their products / services on a global scale.

As you will be aware, the ocean and sailing yachts are used in images on television and in magazines for a wide variety of products and services, from food and drink products to insurances, loans, sports goods, toiletries, and much more. My idea is to offer companies and organisations that are proactively promoting a greener way a truly unique opportunity, whether they are selling a product or service. The aim is to do something different and using the yacht to bring together many of these organisations and advertise them on the yacht together.com, all over the yacht

Floating Advertising Space

1. Logo promoted on the hull of the yacht
2. Logo promoted on one (or more) of the 3 sails the booms and masts
3. Logo promoted on corporate stationery
4. Logo promoted on crew uniforms
5. Providing a link from our web site to their company
6. Testing and reviewing of sponsors products to provide feedback of usability/durability in a real life environment.
7. Personalized uniform items for Crew that will carry their company’s logo
8. The opportunity for a sponsor to come aboard and use the yacht for filming purposes i.e. for a new product launch commercial.
9. Working with our partners, in offering motivational and productivity initiatives within their company, that will offer the winner a chance to come and spend some time with Earth Reporter and the team as a SeaPacker.

INVESTORS
Like most new companies or organisations I am looking for investors. I was on target to finance this myself and over the past few years I have been financing the refit of the yacht by selling properties in Spain and painting the odd yacht here and there for the shipyard were I have my yacht. Speaking fluent Spanish helped a great deal and I was doing well and on target until a couple of companies I was working for decided to vanish and consequently 58,000 euros of my commission disappeared as well. Then in early 2006 I suffered an injury that took me out of action for the rest of the year, unable to work and finish the yacht.

I am now back on track with 3 months work left to finish the yacht but I am now left with a deficit. I am hoping that I can raise the money through a combination of selling advertising space on the yacht and a contribution from a company or individual that sees the benefit in being involved in this project.

What type of skills will potential crew and SeaPackers need to apply for a position?

First of all I would like to say that I am a firm believer in the following:
a)Skill set can be learned
b)Attitude cant

However, with passion there are no limits and while it is important that the live-aboard crew are skilled in their chosen field, personality will go a great way to making the team and its projects a success. By all accounts Blackbeard was a great sailor but would you have wanted to share a cabin with him????

• Cameraman / Woman - The ability to film above and below the water a clear advantage
• Producer / Director
• Editor
• Marine biologist

Previous experience in any one of the fields mentioned is preferred but not essential. There are a lot of talented people that have been to film school / college who I am sure have the skills needed for this project and they, like me, are looking for the opportunity to express their skills and passion for such an expedition. Second language will be a great benefit to the team as we will be traveling many different countries. The ability to work alone and as a team a member, a person that can improvise, adapt and overcome to changing environments and situations is what we’re looking for.

Most importantly they will have to dedicate at least 6 months away from their home. If they have commitments that will not permit them to commit for this period then this voyage is not for them as the first year is very important in the establishing the expedition and its aims and goals

They should be healthy and of a normal standard of fitness, on acceptance as a crew member they will need to undergo a medical.

SeaPackers
They will come from all walks of life, nationalities, creed, colour and professional backgrounds. Sailing experience is an advantage but not essential. Any experience in alternative living will be an advantage, anyone that has been involved in voluntary work, and most importantly people that understand the importance of a team spirit

I could go on and on about the type of people I would like to be involved but anybody that applies to be a part of this expedition will be asked to send a video CV as well as a written CV.

Q. Having support for this expedition is essential to making it happen and it being a success. What will getting the support mean to you personally and what will it mean on the widerscale (e.g. for the environment, education, wildlife, people and any individual or organization that is directly involved in the project)?

On a personal level it will mean that the mental, physical and financial sacrifices I have made would have been worth it. All these years of keeping my dream alive would have come to life and it will mark the beginning of how I want to spend the rest of my days.

Speaking about the environment I think that each and every one of us should do more for the environment and not leave it up to governments to come up with the answer, because if we do we are doomed. I feel the key to saving ourselves and the planet, the animal kingdom and countless innocent bystanders from ourselves is education. We must change our ways, or face the collapse of the ocean world…and life on this planet as we know it. If our expedition can contribute to a better understanding and bring about change then I will feel I have done something worthwhile. There are so many stories out there that are not being told but they do need to be told.

Being able to offer advertising space on the yacht to companies, organizations or individuals that are in many ways fighting the forces that be to promote their greener products or services, I feel I can help them by promoting them on a global scale and at a fraction of the cost that they currently spend on their annual advertising budgets.

Q. Do you have a wish list of things that you need before you set sail and also during the expedition? If so now is the time to tell us.

Never been one for wishing Vicky but now you ask yeah I have a list.

I find myself completely alone in my endeavor to get this project of the ground.

I have sent untold letters seeking advice support assistance and sponsorship to many organizations and have been given the cold shoulder with many of them, not even having the common decency to reply to me and every one of them on their web sites’ company profile has stated that they are promoting change and would like to hear from people with new and unique ideas.

This has not deterred me at all, but made me more determined as I would rather look at the opportunity in every difficulty rather than the difficulty in every opportunity.

As a person that has been around the world a few times I am a firm believer that there are only to types of people “those that say, and those that do” unfortunately I have found that there are a lot more people that say.

1. First priority is to find the crew that will make the production team
2. To meet the people / companies /organization that want to do and not say
3. To find someone that will finance the website and our own Internet TV Station that will cover this expedition
4. To find the right sponsors that will help the expedition in way of finances needed
5. To find the people that will come up with the art work for the painting of the yacht
6. To find summer volunteers who can help with the boat - electricians, carpenters etc - food and accomodation support provided.
7. To meet anyone that feels they have something to offer that will help the expedition

If I can just fulfill those few things I am sure that everything else will fall into place

Q. David, is there anything else you would like to tell us about ocean life and your passion for it?

“THE OCEAN”, living on it and traveling on it that’s me in a nut shell, I mean what’s not to love?

What I love the most is that it’s filled with life, from the top to the bottom. It’s like diving into the history of life, to dive into the ocean.

But times are changing!! And man is doing a great job in destroying the Ocean and all life that depends on a clean ocean, (which is basically every living organism on the planet).

FINALLY - Name the Yacht!

Although David calls his Yacht ‘Earth Reporter’ he hasn’t officially named her or the production company yet. He’s looking for your inspiration and ideas to help him come to a final decision. I bet lots of you have some great ideas out there. Let us know!

If any of you would like to contact David, either to ask more questions, offer him support and send your good wishes you can contact him on keepdreaming360@yahoo.com, make a comment on this post or contact us.

Visit David’s Making Green Waves myspace page at www.myspace.com/154608260
Don’t forget to tell anyone you know who might be interested in David’s expedition and documentaries.

All of the above text and images is the intellectual copyright of David Pike.