Earthrace boat cleared to retry record run

A judge has ruled that the deadly ocean collision between the bio-diesel-powered Earthrace speedboat and a small fishing boat off the coast of Guatemala was an accident. The ruling clears the way for the Earthrace and its crew of four to be released and continue its attempt to break the world record for circumnavigating the globe. Lawyers for the boat's crew have reached a civil settlement with the families of the fishermen. The boat was expected to head for Acapulco. The team was held up in the Guatemalan port for 10 days while the legal issues were resolved. One person was killed and another severely injured in the nighttime accident. The Earthrace boat suffered little damage but the fishing boat was destroyed. The world record is 75 days, so the Earthrace crew cannot afford another delay.

Related:

• Tragedy at Sea: Earthrace team hits fishing boat off Guatemala; one dead and crew still held

[Source: The Age]