MAYFLOWER ATLANTIC VOYAGE - The Mayflower's is a corporate attempt to travel across the pond, unlike the Scout and Voyager autonomous Atlantic student attempts. The vessel is shown above as first envisaged in 2016 @100 feet, with wing-sail, wind turbine and solar panels. The IBM powered vessel launched in 2020, is 50 feet long and does not have wind harvesting equipment, though the same trimaran hull form.

Extraordinary projects that break the boundaries of science, increase our knowledge and the achievement of man, do not normally attract backing from official sources that work on incremental research using established academia. Fortunately, there are a very few philanthropists who have supported the unusual on the basis of solid commercial decisions, but nonetheless well intentioned, where conventional advertising is a safer bet, such as sporting competitions and racing. PlanetSolar was one such project, and MAS400 is another.

High tech projects such as the Mayflower, provide general interest news articles in the media, that attract readers and increase or retain circulation from the 'Wow' factor, fortunately providing tangible returns to organizer's, in getting brands noticed. Artificial Intelligence in marine navigation is news, just as much as zero emission shipping, as the list of publications above shows beyond doubt, proof that investment in such projects gives worthwhile returns. It is also interesting to see the spin each publication applies

There is a fascination on the part of the reading public, for robotic transport of all kinds, such as robotaxis, robotrucks and unmanned shipping, much as solar powered car racing kept us riveted to news feeds 20 years ago, but like missions to the Moon and Mars, some have lost their page turning potential, except for young fact finders.

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