Olivier Pitras considers the problem of protecting our environment an issue requiring the involvement of everyone. All too often it is politicians and media figures that capture the headlines and the general public is not given the opportunity to contribute in any meaningful way.

   “Around North America 2008-09” is about to change all of that.

   His crew will be made up of normal people – those with the time and the interest to embark on a journey of a lifetime : a journey to make a difference.

   This expedition will be broken up into 21 legs, each requiring 7 new crew members willing to set sail as private sponsors in a message of hope and opportunity for planet earth.
Each “Crew of Seven” will become sailors in the truest sense of the word. Each will be asked to contribute to the sailing, manoeuvring, cooking and maintenance of the boat as full time crewmembers.

   In total, 147 sailors will help spread the word of hope for a planet in need of a friend. Each crewmember who completes his/her leg will receive a diploma as “Official Crew Member – Around North America 2008-2009”
There will also be 3 berths available for full-time journalists, cameramen and women and media specialists.

   It is expected that some potential crewmembers will not have the funds to become part of the expedition. With that in mind “Around North America” encourages potential crewmembers to use this file to present their project to local sponsors to be a part of the “Around North America” expedition.

   The sponsor of a partner crewmember can expect the following in return :

• Advertising space on the hull (150mm x 150mm)
• Acknowledgments in the book of the expedition
• 2 pictures of the expedition to use in their advertising campaigns
• At the end of the expedition, the partner crewmember will receive 50 pictures to organize a lecture for the public relation of the sponsor.

   “Around North America” will require 12 crewmembers at all times :

• 7 partner crewmembers.
• 3 berths will be reserved for cameramen, journalists, and scientists.
• 2 berths are reserved for the skipper and first mate.