Earthrace joins the record books

A year after biofuel-driven Earthrace, finished its circumnavigation, the crew can now claim the world record for around-the-world speed.

The trimaran completed her journey in 60 days 23 hours, 49 minutes, beating the previous record by almost two weeks.

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Florida men attempt voyage for good cause

Two Florida men are attempting the world’s longest trans-Atlantic voyage in a flats boat to raise money to help fallen Marines.

Ralph and Robert Brown kicked off their 6,200-mile trip from Tampa, Fla., to Germany. The pair made the Guinness Book of World Records in 2007 using a flats boat to get to Bermuda.

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See NYC fireworks display from the ‘crow’s nest’

The North River Historic Ship Society is offering an exclusive opportunity to view the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks on New York City’s Hudson River.

In honor of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s 1609 exploration of the river, Macy’s has moved its annual fireworks display to the Hudson River. Six fireworks barges will be placed in the river between West 24th and 50th Streets. Public viewing spots will be set up along the way, but the New York City Police Department will be limiting access to piers.

Thanks to the generosity of Pier 66 Maritime (the Frying Pan Pier) the non-profit North River Historic Ship Society will host an exclusive party from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on the roof of the pier — at 26th Street and the Hudson River.

This will be the best viewing spot on the river, according to organizers, as the roof is elevated, and there will be no crowds because access will limited to 100 people who buy tickets in advance. Tickets are $200 and will include a $150 tax-deductible donation to the North River Historic Ship Society, a NYS not-for-profit organization.

The event will feature an open bar, light refreshments, fireworks, music and comfortable table seating.

Tickets must be purchased in advance because they will need to be shown to the NYC Police Department for access to the pier area. Each person will need a ticket to cross police lines. The fireworks will take place from 9:20 to 9:50 p.m. The pier roof will be open from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The North River Historic Ship Society is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1994 to support the preservation of historic vessels, to assist them in finding berths and to facilitate free public access to these vessels. Proceeds from this event will fund historic ship events and free public trips aboard Fireboat John J. Harvey, the 102-year old Tug Pegasus and other historic vessels.

To purchase tickets go to www.nrhss.org or call Capt John Doswell at (212) 757-1600.

Transpac race blends old, new

On one hand, one of the most sleek and modern sailboats in the world — the 103-foot Alfa Romeo — is ready for the biennial Transpac race from Long Beach to Hawaii that begins Monday.

So is the Lynx, a perfect replica of an 1812 classic tall ship, a 122-foot square topsail schooner. The old and the new will be just part of the story in this year’s Transpac, which will have the first boats leaving June 29 — including the Lynx — and the fastest boats — including Alfa Romeo — leaving July 5.

The race will take a week to 10 days for those fast boats to complete, depending on the weather and wind patterns. Click here to read a report in the Grunion Gazette.

To find out more about the race, click here.