An unmanned, solar-powered trimaran will cross the Atlantic to mark the 400th anniversary of the pilgrims' journey to the New World on the Mayflower in 1620. The trip is being organized by a group called Project Pilgrimage, which hopes to raise money for its mission and build support among Americans who are skeptical about climate change. Professor Kevin Jones, executive dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Plymouth University, said the trimaran would "be a test bed for new navigation software and alternative forms of power".
An unmanned, solar-powered trimaran will cross the Atlantic to mark the 400th anniversary of the pilgrims' journey to the New World on the Mayflower in 1620. The $15m Mayflower Autoship is being developed by a group including the University of Plymouth, and will serve as a research vessel during the week-long crossing, before she is used for "world-wide ocean research". Professor Kevin Jones, executive dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Plymouth University, said the trimaran would "be a test bed for new navigation software and alternative forms of power".