http://www.TheBoaters.TV (for higher res version) - Episode 47: First up today: Media sources in the United Kingdom are reporting that the Earthrace project has received a big thumbs up, and possibly more, from Sir Richard Branson.Earthrace is an Auckland, New Zealand-based charitable trust that is attempting to break the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a powerboat run on 100% renewable bio-diesel fuel.\n\nThe current record of 75 days is held by British boat Cable&Wireless, made in 1998. The Earthrace crew believe they can do it in 65 days.If the bid succeeds it will be the first time an official UIM (that\'s the Union Internationale Motornautique) Powerboat world record has been broken using only renewable fuel.\n\nMany commentators are speculating that a sponsorship by Sir Richard Branson\'s Virgin brand is on the horizon, but thus far, no checks have been written.\n\nOn the mend from damaged suffered during the first attempt at setting a new record earlier this summer, Earthrace is now on an 18-month promotional tour to 40 cities.\n\nThe Earthrace crew of four, led by skipper Pete Bethune, will begin their next 2nd attempt at this24,000 nautical mile journey from Malaga, Spain in March 2008, and who knows, they\'ll quite possibly be bearing a Virgin logo.\n\nAll images and video used in this segment were shot by cinematographers Ryan Heron and Lance Wordsworth, and are property of Lance Wordsworth.\n\nFor more information, you can visit their official website at http://www.Earthrace.net\n\nBoat Maintenance&Safety Advice: Does Your Boat\'s Have Hidden Fire Hazards?Today we feature advice for how to seek out -- and snuff out -- sneaky fire starters that may be lurking where they could do real harm to your boat or, worse, your family. \n\nStory contributed by boating writers Gordon&Janet Groene.During the RYA\'s Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta in Weymouth&Portland England, british 49er skiff sailing duo, Steve Morrison and Ben Rhodes, were told by organisers that they were not allowed to compete unless they changed the name of their boat.The team said the boat, \"Jackie Big T**S,\" was named after a song by The Kooks.\n\nThis well-known 49er two-man skiff duo just so happened to be nominated that same week to represent Great Britain in the Olympic games. \n\nThis story was originally reported by Shaun Custis of The Sun Online: http://www.thesun.co.uk\n\nTheBoaters TV, hosted by Julie Perry, airs every M, W,&Friday at http://www.TheBoaters.TV - also available on iTunes. big, boats, branson, british, earthrace, fire, hazards, jackie, olympics, powerboat, record, richard, sailing