voc ep 104: Matt Rutherford

Ocean Research Project, Director, Expedition Leader

Matt Rutherford, Images courtesy
Ocean Research Project

Matt Rutherford is the first person in history to complete a non-stop, single-handed, voyage around North and South America. Rutherford left Annapolis, MD on June 2011 and traversed some of the most dangerous seas on Earth. During the first leg of his trek, Rutherford broke a record by solo sailing the smallest boat in history through the Northwest Passage. Once through this northern passage, Rutherford sailed around the entire state of Alaska then south through the Pacific Ocean from North to South America to make his left-hand turn at storm-tossed Cape Horn and completing his record breaking journey in 309 days after sailing 27,077 miles at sea.

Once Matt returned from his circumnavigation, he immediately started working on starting a non-profit organization that would help scientists better understand the problems facing the oceans. Matt believes that no one person can do everything, but everyone can do something. By creating Ocean Research Project, Matt plans to educate people about marine issues and give back to the Earth’s oceans.
Follow the journey at the Ocean Reserarch Project website: http://www.oceanresearchproject.org/