The Journey
Life Amphibious is an adventurous expedition that blends Greek mythology and seafaring adventure with the risks and thrills of high-tech invention. Australian Aquanaut and marine biologist Lloyd Godson and his Greek partner Carolina Sarasiti will migrate 100 nautical miles through the Ionian Sea from Corfu to Ithaca off the west coast of mainland Greece.
Phase 1: Fiskardo, Kefalonia to Vathy, Ithaca
Distance: 15 nautical miles
Departure: Monday September 28th 2009 from Fiskardo, Kefalonia
Arrival: Saturday October 3rd 2009 to Vathy, Ithaca A fit marathon Athlete and Australian Geographic's 2007 Australian Adventurer of the Year, Lloyd will be "pedalling" underwater using "Omer 6", a one-seater, custom-made, human-powered submarine designed and built by the Ecole de technologie superieure (School of Higher Technology) in Montreal, Quebec, for the International Submarine Races.
The submarine features a 'non-propeller' design as the means of propulsion, allowing Lloyd to explore the secrets of the ocean in a unique and unusual way. The "wet" free-flooding submarines will be fitted with SCUBAPRO / UWATEC SCUBA (Self-contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) equipment, video cameras and underwater sensors for observation and research.
The Ecole de technologie superieure's "Omer 6" uses biology inspired technologies (biomimietics) that imitate sea creatures such as penguins. "Omer 6" set a new world speed record (4.916 knots) in the one-seater / non-propeller category at the 10th International Submarine Races held in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, in June 2009.
Carolina and the Life Amphibious team will travel beside Lloyd on-board their project's support vessel, Neptune 3, kindly donated by Andreas Petalas at Fiskardo's Nautical & Environmental Club. Together they will explore the Ionian Islands of Kefallonia and Ithaca.
View Life Amphibious in a larger map
Phase 2: Corfu to Ithaca
Distance: 100 nautical miles
Departure: 2010 from Corfu (dates to be announced)
Arrival: Approximately 2 weeks later in Ithaca
Assuming Phase 1 of the Life Amphibious expedition is a success in 2009, Lloyd plans to cover the 100 nautical mile distance to Ithaca from the island of Corfu in ETS's "Omer 7" submarine. "Omer 7" is the latest generation of Omer submarine. It is a two-seater non-propeller submarine which also uses its lateral wings' movement to gain speed. During the 10th International Submarine Races "Omer 7" recorded a maximum speed of 5.1333 knots. Stay tuned for further details!
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