Solo sailor Lisa Blair has given a presentation at the Cowra Civic Centre, promoting her new film Ice Maiden, a daring journey across the ocean to help share her observations on climate change and the fragile state of our oceans.
Speaking to Cowra students, Blair offered a recount of her motivations and challenges as the first woman to sail on her own, circumnavigating Antarctica in her 16m (52 foot) vessel, Climate Action Now.
The route took her through some of the most treacherous waters on the planet, including the Southern Ocean, known for its harsh conditions and powerful storms - with weather bringing down her mast.
She told the students she'd had to jury rig repairs, often in dangerous conditions.
At one point experiencing a dismasting and calling for a 'pan-pan' - a nautical emergency radio term just short of a mayday - eventually undertaking a replenishment of fuel from a nearby ship which could not come alongside due to size of the waves.
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Blair had fuel placed in containers and slung over using a hastily prepared rope system to avoid getting close to the assisting vessel.
Despite facing numerous obstacles, from naysayers to severe weather and technical difficulties, she successfully navigated these waters and returned safely, cementing her place in sailing history - detailed in Ice Maiden.
More than a personal challenge, her solo voyage around Antarctica was used also as a platform to promote environmental sustainability.
Blair told the students "Out in the middle of the ocean we saw a styrofoam box floating past, and there've been times where we had to use a boat hook to carve a path through garbage in the water"
Blair's journey underscored the impacts of climate change on polar regions and highlighted the importance of preserving these critical environments.
Extending her achievements beyond the voyage; Blair has continued to be an advocate for ocean conservation and climate action, using her platform to inspire others and raise awareness about environmental protection and advocacy.
Lisa Blair has sailed over 110,000 nautical miles (over 203,000 kilometres).
She is a proud Australian adventurer, Author of Facing Fear, and Speaker on Resilience and Mental Agility.
As a passionate Climate Activist, she continues to develop projects that allow her to further her sustainability work while inspiring future generations to take on Climate Action Now.
Her vessel Climate Action Now is currently berthed at the Maritime Museum in Sydney.
The trailer for ICE MAIDEN, as well as session times can be viewed at https://icemaidenfilm.com/
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