Blue Observer, sailing for science

Come on board with us by helping to finance the equipment of our oceanographic sailing vessel IRIS which will leave for a second scientific campaign of 18 months around Africa. The ocean plays a crucial role in the planetary balance! Did you know that: But that's not all! It plays a decisive role in the climatic balance and the maintenance of biodiversity. It is also a source of food and employment for nearly 10% of the world's population. But as resilient as it is, the ocean is facing an increase in pollution and is beginning to show serious signs of weakness: warming, acidification, deoxygenation. These damages lead to phenomena such as rising sea levels, loss of biodiversity and the multiplication of extreme climatic events. What will happen to the ocean in 50 years? Will it still be as efficient in its role as a "carbon pump"? What will be the impact on the marine biodiversity on which we all depend? To find out, it is essential to increase data on the functioning of the ocean and to accelerate research. Our mission: study to better protect At Blue Observer, we aim to develop and decarbonize ocean sciences in order to better understand, value and protect the ocean. For that, we lead oceanographic sailing campaigns with research institutes and laboratories around the world. IRIS, our legendary racing sailboat transformed into an oceanographic vessel We can rely on our working sailboat IRIS that we acquired in 2021 and converted into an oceanographic vessel. It allows us to offer the scientific community a decarbonated, economical, silent and flexible means to carry out collection, deployment and observation missions in the open sea. Initially designed for ocean racing, this sailboat is the ex-ADRIEN of Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, who holds the record for the Global Challenge (solo, non-stop round-the-world race from East to West) since 2004. Designed to challenge the roaring 40s and the howling 50s, it has ideal characteristics for our activities. Modular, manageable and spacious, our sailboat has undergone a major transformation in 2021. It has been renovated and transformed to carry out scientific activities on board and to accommodate a crew of 6 to 7 passengers. Listen to the support testimony of Jean-Louis Etienne, polar explorer and godfather of Blue Observer: Our inaugural expedition: a world first! 2021 - 2022: "Great Atlantic" Expedition We have conducted our first large-scale campaign under sail in the North and South Atlantic to increase the data essential for weather and climate forecasting. Program: Deployment of 95 Argo floats on behalf of the United States, Canada and Europe as part of the international Argo cooperation program. Collection of uncontaminated aquatic and aerosol samples for several international laboratories and scientific institutes. Key figures: Distance covered: 17,500 nautical miles | Duration: 120 days including 96 days at sea | Average speed: 7.5 knots | Consumption: 700 liters of diesel | Floats deployed: 95 | Microbiological samples: 106 | People on board: 6 | 3 stopovers, 6 equator crossings, 4 depressions With the success of this first 4-month campaign, we continue to develop our activities as a low-carbon maritime operator at the service of laboratories and scientific institutes. Our next expedition 2023 - 2024 : "Africa Ocean" We are currently preparing our next 18-month campaign that will take IRIS and the crew of sailors and scientists all around the African continent. The departure is set for February 2023 from Brest. Program: Deployment of oceanographic instruments to survey areas suffering from lack of data for better climate risk management. Microbiology: collection of aquatic and aerosol samples from these environments to study species diversity. Pollutants: collection of samples to study the extent of pollution (macro and microplastics, endocrine disruptors) on the first links essential to our survival on earth. Marine fauna: exploration of Marine Protected Areas to provide new data and participate in a better management of these ecosystems that are essential to restore a healthy and productive functioning of the ocean. Key figures : Distance to travel: 20,000 nautical miles | Duration of the mission: 18 months | Partner institutes and laboratories: 15+ | Study of marine protected areas: 5 Listen to the support testimony of Jean Le Cam, sailor: Our objective: to continue the transformation of the sailboat A lot of work has been done on the boat after its acquisition to allow the realization of our first expedition: complete hydrogumming of the hull | complete control of the hull | revision of the electronics | revision of the engines | checking of the rigging | change of the J2 | renewal of the fittings | interior fitting. Our next campaign will have a longer duration and will host more scientific programs. We must therefore prepare the boat to carry out the campaign in the best conditions by adapting it to new protocols. Who are we ? Blue Observer can count on a multidisciplinary and qualified team. Each member of the Blue Observer team embarked on the project with his expertise, in complementarity of the other profiles. The team is articulated around 4 poles: the expeditions management, the general management, the scientific pole and the partnerships and communication pole. We need your help! Participating in our project means getting involved in a better knowledge of the ocean and moving forward. Our goal? Create a link between the scientific, public and private spheres and share knowledge. Take part in our actions and discover, through our next expedition, the richness of the ocean and all the benefits it brings to humanity. Each help from you is a step towards a better understanding of the phenomena that surround us. Together, we will be able to better protect it. "By supporting Blue Observer, you commit yourself in a concrete project which has a positive impact on the ocean" - Jean-Louis Etienne, godfather of the sailing boat IRIS Engage with us to better understand and protect the ocean! #togetherfortheocean If you wish to become a sponsor of the project with your company, contact us. We will make you a personalized offer.