Marcus Eriksen

Director of research and education for the Algalita Marine Research Foundation Marcus Eriksen and photographer Joel Paschal created a 20 foot by 30 foot raft from plastic bottles and the fuselage of an airplane. In an effort to raise awareness of the trash polluting the ocean, Eriksen and Paschal completed a three-month voyage from Long Beach to Hawaii, starting in June of 2008.Official Blog: JUNK

Erikson and Paschal set off from Long Beach on June 1, 2008. Their man-made raft, containing 15,000 plastic bottles, used solar energy to power navigational equipment. Along the way, the pair met Roz Savage about 600 miles from Hawaii. Savage had been rowing solo across the Pacific Ocean, also to raise awareness about the environment. She received water from the men, who in return traded for food.BBC NEWS: Mid-Ocean Dinner Date Saves Rower (August 20, 2008) They successfully completed the voyage on August 27, 2008, docking in Hawaii.

1. Official Blog: JUNK

2. Algalita Marine Research Foundation: Marcus Eriksen, PhD

3. Official Site: Mission Science Dr. Marcus Eriksen

4. The Weather Channel: Commando Weather with Dr. Marcus Eriksen

5. The Honolulu Advertiser: Junk Raft Arriving in Ala Wai Harbor (August 26, 2008)

6. USA Today: Whatcha Gonna Do with All That Junk? - The Weather Guys (July 29, 2008)

7. YouTube Video: Junk Raft Departing for Hawaii (Time: 4:02)