The Around the Americas research sailing expedition, which got underway in May, is collecting scientific data and testing new methods and equipment throughout the 13-month, 25,000-mile circumnavigation of the North and South American continents. The expedition intends to raise awareness of the changes occurring in our oceans and aims to promote solutions to lessen negative impacts. Instruments aboard the steel-hull sailboat will monitor polar science, weather, jellyfish populations and solar-energy reflections.