#63: Sailing the Silent Seas with Michael Köhler

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast

Hello Earthlings! For this week’s episode, we’re continuing our summer schedule where we’ll be posting a rerun of a relevant episode every other week. The Earthlings 2.0 team have been dreaming about spending our summers lounging on a quiet, peaceful deck, drinking Mai Tais under a clear sunny, blue sky ever since we heard this episode: Sailing the Silent Seas!

In this exciting episode, we set sail into the transformative waters of the marine transport sector, navigating the currents of change towards a sustainable future with zero-emission yachting at the helm. Our guide through this voyage is none other than Michael Köhler, CEO of Silent Yachts, and a visionary who has been steering the solar-powered yacht movement since 2009. His vision was clear: to navigate the world's waters with minimal environmental impact, harnessing the power of the sun to create a silent, serene boating experience that aligns with the urgent need for conservation and sustainability.

So, fasten your life jackets and prepare to be inspired as we explore the silent revolution transforming marine transport, one solar panel at a time. This episode is not just a conversation; it's a call to action for cleaner seas, greener yachts, and a sustainable future for our planet.

Restoring Our Faith in Humanity this week is Paolo Fanciulli, an Italian fisherman who is credited with creating the Atlantis of Tuscany in a fight against illegal trawling. Beginning in 2002, he, the Tuscan government, and World Wildlife Fund Italia deployed a strategic formation of 126 underwater cement bollards to ruin the extremely expensive deep sea trawling nets used by the illegal fishing outfits.

Key Topics:

• Energy Transition in Marine Transport: shift from fossil fuels to electric and solar power in marine vessels, highlighting the environmental urgency and potential benefits of clean energy in maritime travel.
• Innovations in Solar-Powered Yachting: Michael shares his journey with Silent Yachts, from concept to creation of solar-powered yachts, emphasizing the technological innovations and visionary drive behind sustainable marine design.
• Sustainable Sailing Experience: Lisa Ann and Michael discuss the benefits of solar yachting, including silent navigation, renewable energy generation, and the luxurious slow travel experience, underscoring its positive impact on the environment and boating lifestyle.
• Future of Zero-Emission Marine Transport: Michael talks about the impact of solar-powered yachting on the marine industry and environment, considering market trends, customer profiles, and the growth potential for solar yacht sales, while addressing the sector's challenges and opportunities in embracing sustainability.

Voices on The Show:

• Michael Köhler, CEO of Silent Yachts
• LinkedIn

• Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications, and Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability
• LinkedIn: Lisa Ann Pinkerton
• X - Lisa Ann Pinkerton
• Instagram - @LisiAnni
• Technica Communications
• Women in Cleantech and Sustainability

Web Resources

• Silent Yachts
• YouTube
• Instagram
• X
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Silent 64’s Transatlantic crossing video

Restoring Faith in Humanity: Paolo Fanciulli, Founder of La Casa dei Pesci

🚀 Calling all Earthlings…

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