This project is now available for funding, and its status is set out below. Please contact Dick Sisman for more information about contributing to this project, quoting its reference number 'TP008' in all correspondence.
| Project Status Table for TICOS Project TP008 | |
| Date verified by TICOS: | 1 February 2008 |
Estimated project cost: |
15,000 Euros |
| Project timescale: | 5 years |
| Additional sustainable development benefits: |
|
The lower Danube region is recognised as a place of global ecological importance: truly 'Europe's subtropical zone'. It holds the largest complex of wetlands, riverine forests and steppes in Central Europe. There are over 1,000 species of flowers and more than 200 birds including pelicans, herons and eagles. This project will replace the existing inefficient, noisy and polluting two-stroke boat engines currently used for tours in the Danube delta.
The first stage involves the purchase of three new 15 hp four-stroke engines. These have lower fuel consumption, are quieter and do not release oil into the water. The second stage is to purchase one additional 12hp electric-powered motor from the USA and 5 x 12v deep-discharge batteries within Ukraine. The petrol-engines will take visitors from Vilkovo to the buffer zone of the Danube biosphere reserve, while the quiet and non-polluting electric motors are used within the reserve.
In addition to offsetting CO2, this project will improve the water quality of the Danube as pollution from oil released by two-stroke motors will be reduced and there will be less disturbance to wildlife. The boats will be more reliable with increased visitor enjoyment by greatly reduced (or nil) noise levels.