About Crossing the Pacific with Plastic Bottles

British explorer David de Rothschild has a brand-new challenge, which is to sail a sailboat made of 12,000 discarded plastic bottles tied up, across the Pacific Ocean, a journey of more than 17,000 kilometers. More than a month later, the plastic ship finally docked for the first time for replenishment. Since leaving the port of San Francisco on March 24, the "Plastiki" has now arrived at Christmas Island in Kiribati, the Pacific island nation, this is the first time the six crew members on board have landed. Although bundled from discarded plastic bottles, the 18-meter-long "Plastiki" has proven its ability to withstand wind and waves. The ship is also equipped with a number of laptops, GPS and satellite phones, which are powered by solar panels and two exercise bikes on board.