After almost two years at sea, Niu Poni is still going strong! It seems like forever ago that this GPS-tracked ocean drifter was launched by a few hundred children one sunny morning on the east side of Oahu. Since Niu Poni floats on the surface just like plastic and other marine debris, it is giving us some great data as to where trash goes if it’s left on the beach.
Here are some statistics about the 700+ day voyage:
- Battery: almost 100% (thanks to solar panels… way to go, renewable energy!)
- Average speed: 17.4 miles per day
- Distance traveled: 12,442 miles (about half the circumference of the Earth!)
- Distance from Honolulu: 1,889 miles
