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Epic ocean “run on water” comes to Raby Bay

He’s run around Australia in thongs, now earth crusader Ben Ferris will “walk on water” in a mission to bring seabins to the eastcoast.

Charity paddle-boarder Ben Ferris pictured at Burleigh Heads. Photograph : Jason O'Brien
Charity paddle-boarder Ben Ferris pictured at Burleigh Heads. Photograph : Jason O'Brien

Ben Ferris is running on water to save our oceans from plastic.

Dubbed Australia’s “Ferris Gump”, the Byron Bay echo crusader is on a mission to put all eyes on the Australian east coast and get local support for “seabins” - an innovative project partnering with governments and community to put “seabins” in our oceans to collect plastic waste.

He is “running” on water from Byron Bay to Cairns to raise money and awareness of the Seabin project.

Charity paddle-boarder Ben Ferris pictured at Burleigh Heads as part of his coastal epic journey. Photograph : Jason O'Brien
Charity paddle-boarder Ben Ferris pictured at Burleigh Heads as part of his coastal epic journey. Photograph : Jason O'Brien
Seabins are tackling ocean plastic in our oceans. Pic: Seabin Project
Seabins are tackling ocean plastic in our oceans. Pic: Seabin Project

Bay Islands Stand Up Paddleboard & Kayak Company’s Karen Robertson said she hoped the Redlands community would come and support Ben this morning as he paddles in to the Bay.

He’s expected to make it to Raby Bay (Masthead Dve) after 10am.

“Come on down, grab a board and paddle out to meet him,” she said.

“For me what he is doing is so important. Every day I pick up plastic from our beaches,” Ms Robertson said.

“I am horrified by the amount of plastic we find.”

“Just five months ago we found a (dead) turtle with a plastic bag in his nostrils.”

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Grab a paddle board this morning and meet Australia’s very own “Ferris Gump” paddling to save our oceans from plastic.
Grab a paddle board this morning and meet Australia’s very own “Ferris Gump” paddling to save our oceans from plastic.

Ms Robertson said she encouraged anyone who was passionate about “our natural beauty” to come and support the RunFerrisRunn mission.

“The more who are aware the better. We’ve absolutely got to protect our oceans,” she said.

“I hadn’t heard of Seabins before now but I think they would be a great thing to have locally.”

“It would be great to think each commercial marina might invest in a seabin or fundraise to have them locally.”

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A little help from Russell Island locals to get Ben’s board fixed.
A little help from Russell Island locals to get Ben’s board fixed.

Ben’s mission is to get 7-10 sea bins in “our harbours all the way up the east coast to Cairns”.

“I am doing Australia’s longest run’N on water, over 2000km ( solo ) with no sponsors and no support out in the deep waters and high risk, just so our children can’N live in a healthy safe and sustainable environment in the coming future,” he says on Facebook.

“Please keep sharing my posts and enjoying my journey and our beautiful ocean and wildlife.”

To help “Ferris” raise money for the Seabins donate at https://www.gofundme.com/run-ferris-run-on-water

WHAT IS A SEABIN?

  • A Seabin unit is a “trash skimmer” designed to be installed in the water of Marinas, Yacht Clubs, Ports and any water body with a calm environment and suitable services available.
  • The unit acts as a floating garbage bin skimming the surface of the water by pumping water into the device.
  • The Seabin V5 can intercept: floating debris, macro and micro plastics and even micro fibres with an additional filter.
  • By acting as a trash skimmer, the Seabin is also able to clean the water from contaminated organic material (leaves, seaweed, etc…). Source: The Seabin Project

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/redlands/epic-ocean-run-on-water-comes-to-raby-bay/news-story/7250e27db9e39a124bcd48c9d530f497