The Race for Water Odyssey (R4WO) reached New York City last week, concluding its Atlantic crossing in a journey that will take its crew over 40 000 nautical miles as they attempt to draw up the first global assessment of plastic pollution in the oceans.

After completing the crossing of the Atlantic-which was turbulent due to several large depressions-the expedition has now arrived in New York, where it is welcomed and supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Swiss Consulate, among others.

The crew members participated in numerous outreach events in New York including an open forum organised by UNEP to highlight the issue of plastic debris in the oceans.

“The world’s oceans receive an enormous amount of litter each year, much of which is persistent and creates marine pollution that is global and intergenerational,” said Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director.

“Collaboration between governments, the private sector, civil society and academia is key to stemming the flow of waste into this fragile environment.”

“The Race for Water Odyssey is a pioneering and inspiring expedition that is helping to uncover the true impact of pollution in the world’s oceans, 80 per cent of which comes from human activities.

“Through their bold mission to extend our limited knowledge of waste gyres, and the major environmental threat they pose, the Odyssey’s crew are inspiring us all to take action and speak up for the oceans, the lifeblood of our blue planet.”

The R4WO will be heading to Necker Island (British Virgin Islands) on Wednesday 15 April 2015.