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A former Royal Mail ship that acted as the lifeline to the island of St. Helena is preparing to set sail from Liverpool to Saudi Arabia.
Extreme E, an off-road racing series that uses spec electric SUVs to race in remote parts of the world, secured exclusive use of the ship in 2018 and since then it has undergone an extensive refurbishment process in a dry dock at Cammell Laird shipyard.
It is now just hours away from setting sail for the championship’s inaugural race weekend, starting on April 3 in Saudi Arabia.
Upon departing Liverpool, the ship will sail through the Mediterranean to Saudi Arabia, where it is expected to arrive after 17 to 20 days.
After Saudi Arabia, she will go back through the Mediterranean to Senegal, across to Greenland, down to the Amazon and then further south to the final destination of the season in Tierra del Fuego, Argentine Patagonia.
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The vessel started life as a Royal Mail ship for the island of St. Helena and was the only transportation for both people and cargo to and from Cape Town.
Before an airport was built in 2016, the vessel was the only link to the outside world for the island in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Celebrating the re-launch, Extreme E Founder and CEO Alejandro Agag sprayed a celebratory bottle of Moët champagne, which had been specially personalised for the occasion, over the ship’s hull to toast the start of her new journey.
Mr Agag said: “Today I feel extremely proud. The departure of St. Helena marks the start of her new voyage. Extreme E’s first season is now officially underway.
(Image: Extreme E)
“This has been a massive project and she really is unrecognisable from when we purchased her back in 2018. She is unmistakably part of Extreme E with the exterior branding, and the internal refit looks incredible. One of my favourite features of the ship is the creation of a science laboratory, which replaces the original swimming pool, and I’m delighted that from Saudi Arabia we will have a variety of scientists on-board conducting oceanic research projects.
“I have always had a love for the ocean, which was inspired by documentaries featuring the French biologist, Jacques Cousteau. He made me dream because he had a boat, he had the Calypso, and my dream is that St. Helena becomes the new Calypso of the 21st century.”
Mr Agag added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the crew who have worked so hard on St. Helena to prepare her for her new journey, and all the team at Cammell Laird port here in Liverpool – we wouldn’t be at this point without all their efforts.”
This week, the championship’s freight from teams and partners has been loaded onto the St. Helena. Items include its race fleet of electric vehicles (ODYSSEY 21) fitted with Continental tyres, Air Shelta tents which will form the team garages, the podium, the start gantry, TV and broadcast equipment, three machines from 3devo to turn plastic waste into the championship’s trophies, two custom BRIG Eagle 8 carbon black support boats, a hydrogen fuel cell for zero-emission car charging created in collaboration with AFC Energy, plus a variety of Bosch tools.
The approach to the refit was to significantly improve, whilst leaving as small an environmental footprint as possible.
This was achieved by upcycling, and rather than scrapping and replacing, the interior was stripped and refurbished, producing a contemporary, modern appearance. In addition, the ship utilises low-energy LED lights, low-water consumption bathroom fittings and even chairs made from recycled plastic bottles collected from the Mediterranean.
There is also a hydroponic system on board in the kitchens which will enable the Chef to grow the vessel’s own herbs and garnishes. She is now well and truly ready to begin a new life as the championship’s logistics hub.
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Last year, Extreme E in cooperation with Enel Foundation, the championship’s Founding Scientific Partner, invited scientists to apply for space on the ship to conduct research connected to advancing climate science in its on board laboratory during the voyage.
In total, seven projects managed by 14 scientists have been selected to join the voyage. The seven projects will each focus on a different area of ocean research, with full details to be announced in the coming weeks.
In addition, there are 62 cabins which can sleep up to 175 people, two lounges, an 80-seater restaurant, a 100-seater exterior deck, an 80-seater presentation area plus capacity to carry 90 20-foot shipping containers.
A crew of 50 people will live and work on board the St. Helena over the course of her voyage.
Joining them will be Extreme E’s Impact Correspondent Izabela Rekiel, who is also an International DJ, environmental activist, Climate Reality Leader and Project Zero Ambassador. Izy will document life on the St. Helena through regular posts on her social media channels – @izyofficial.
