![THE BIG OCEAN CLEAN](https://cdn.magzter.com/1387288041/1718184843/articles/l5RwJeRSQ1720611035482/THE-BIG-OCEAN-CLEAN.jpg)
Viewed from space, the endless blues of the Pacific ocean are the most obvious feature of Earth. Though not visible to those orbiting our planet, of equally vast proportions and fast-becoming the Pacific's most notorious feature - is the Great Garbage Patch.
This oceanic gyre, or set of gyres, covers areas in the North Pacific where surface currents and wind aggregate plastic waste of various sizes. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch spans the entire North Pacific ocean, stretching from the west coast of the United States to Japan. Scientists believe it is actually comprised of two spinning areas, one in the north-east Pacific, the other centred in the north-west. The Hawaiian island chain sits slightly below and between them. The two patches exchange floating debris in a subtropical convergence zone, where cold currents coming down from Alaska meet warm currents coming up from the equatorial Pacific.
Because the whole of the North Pacific has circular currents along its boundaries, material flushed into the sea from coasts tends to keep getting swept along and, as if in a whirlpool, it congregates towards the centre.
Log on to vessel tracking websites and you may be able to see two small ships determinedly trying their best to clean this patch up: the Danish-flagged Maersk Trader and Maersk Tender. Both might be steaming at just a knot or so, side by side, and have been on their latest plastic harvesting in the subtropical Pacific since March 2024.
The Maersk Trader and Tender are conjoined by a tow. Two plastic wings pull along a device that sweeps floating plastic into a seine net. This huge sack is known as the Retention Zone. Once this collecting device is ready to be emptied, it is hauled aboard one of the ships.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2024-Ausgabe von Yachting World.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2024-Ausgabe von Yachting World.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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![THE NEXT CHAPTER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/FIOdF7_Xq1720613293074/THE-NEXT-CHAPTER.jpg)
THE NEXT CHAPTER
THE ARCHETYPAL SCHOONER CRUISER-RACER IS BACK ON THE CARIBBEAN CIRCUIT. NIGEL SHARP JOINED ADELA'S CREW FOR ITS FIRST REGATTA IN FIVE YEARS, THE ANTIGUA SUPERYACHT CHALLENGE
![ZEMI FORM MEETS FUNCTION](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/aj5sutIhU1720612763487/ZEMI-FORM-MEETS-FUNCTION.jpg)
ZEMI FORM MEETS FUNCTION
MALCOLM MCKEON DELIGHTS IN THE CHANCE TO RACE HIS OWN DESIGN BALTIC 110 ZEMI AT THE ST BARTHS BUCKET.
![PEGASUS TAKES OFF](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/J0AdTkN9a1720612395739/PEGASUS-TAKES-OFF.jpg)
PEGASUS TAKES OFF
MIXING NEW AND PROVEN IDEAS, PEGASUS HAS CREATED A SHORTHANDED FAST BLUEWATER YACHT WITH A MARKED DIFFÉRENCE, AS TOBY HODGES DISCOVERS ON A TWO-DAY TEST SAIL
![A LONG WAY ROUND](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/VDJ9tYW6U1720611441293/A-LONG-WAY-ROUND.jpg)
A LONG WAY ROUND
THE OCEAN GLOBE RACE WAS ALL ABOUT BRINGING BACK THE SPIRIT OF THE EARLY WHITBREADS. ELAINE BUNTING FINDS OUT HOW THE CREWS FARED
![THE BIG OCEAN CLEAN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/l5RwJeRSQ1720611035482/THE-BIG-OCEAN-CLEAN.jpg)
THE BIG OCEAN CLEAN
AN AMBITIOUS PLAN IS SETTING OUT TO REMOVE PLASTIC FROM THE WORLD'S GREATEST OCEAN
![RING OF FIRE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/_OVld6qaA1720610709765/RING-OF-FIRE.jpg)
RING OF FIRE
A MEMORABLE PASSAGE FROM FIJI TO AUSTRALIA FOR KATE ASHE-LEONARD
![HALF WAY HEAVEN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/FwWbE995S1720608505005/HALF-WAY-HEAVEN.jpg)
HALF WAY HEAVEN
A FINAL PACIFIC PASSAGE FROM FRENCH POLYNESIA TO NEW ZEALAND TAKES THE SWAN 37 ELIXIR HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD
![THE ENDLESS OCEAN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/K_hy0uLjy1720608167536/THE-ENDLESS-OCEAN.jpg)
THE ENDLESS OCEAN
THE PACIFIC IS THE WORLD'S BIGGEST OCEAN, BUT WITH SO MANY OPTIONS HOW DO YOU PLAN A ROUTE ACROSS? CRUISERS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES
![NIKKI HENDERSON](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/buus-Ppx41720607813172/NIKKI-HENDERSON.jpg)
NIKKI HENDERSON
ALL YACHTS SHOULD HAVE THE MEANS TO GO ALOFT AT SEA AND A CREW MEMBER WILLING AND ABLE TO DO SO
![MATTHEW SHEAHAN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/5mFQY7FFp1720607508152/MATTHEW-SHEAHAN.jpg)
MATTHEW SHEAHAN
IT’S ALL SMILES FOR THE AMERICA’S CUP TEAMS AS THE BRAND NEW AC75 BOATS HIT THE WATER. BUT THE SERIOUS BUSINESS STARTS SOON...