Dr. Marcus Eriksen, director of research for the Algalita Marine Research Federation, is attempting to cross the Pacific Ocean on a raft constructed entirely of trash. The Long Beach, Calif.-based nonprofit is dedicated to the protection of the marine environment and its watersheds through research, education and restoration. Eriksen hopes to draw the world’s attention to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and help raise awareness of the need to reduce plastic waste.

The voyage, already six weeks long, was almost deep-sixed when several of the bottles used for flotation lost their caps and filled with water. But the craft was rescued and repaired, and continues its slow progress.

You can watch a CNN video about the raft trip here.