IMOCA Vessel Dedicated to Ocean Preservation Docks in Vannes, France
An IMOCA vessel dedicated to ocean preservation is making a stop in Vannes, France, from October 15th to November 3rd. This boat, inaugurated at the start of the Vendée Globe race last year, aims to share the adventure of offshore sailing and the daily life of sailors aboard these racing boats, while also raising awareness about ocean preservation. Having welcomed 30,000 visitors in three weeks, it serves as a “witness” vessel, mirroring Fabrice Amedeo’s racing yacht “FDJ UNITED – Wewise.”
A Second Life for a Veteran Vessel
The IMOCA, a Finot design launched in 1998 as “Team Group 4” for Mike Golding, was deemed too old for racing and had been sitting idle in Lorient since late 2016. Fabrice Amedeo, a local sailor, saw an opportunity to repurpose it. “I thought we had to do something with it, and the idea quickly came to separate it from its keel and mast to make it an educational tool,” he explains. The owner, Mikhail Agafontsev, a Russian national, ceded the boat to Amedeo for a symbolic one euro.
With the support of his partners, Amedeo and his team undertook the transformation of the IMOCA, giving it a new life after its extensive ocean adventures with Mike Golding, Conrad Humphreys, and Dee Caffari, including two Vendée Globe races in 2000-2001 and 2004-2005, both finished in 7th place.
Public Engagement and Educational Opportunities
The revitalized boat was unveiled in 2024 during the Vendée Globe, christened by singer Jérémy Frérot, and has since welcomed hundreds of visitors daily. Upon his return from his round-the-world voyage, Fabrice Amedeo presented the project to David Robo, the mayor of Vannes, who immediately embraced the idea and supported the boat’s visit. The vessel will be positioned on the quay next to the Tourist Office, rather than being moored in the port.
It will be open to school groups on October 15th and 17th, with 220 children already scheduled to visit on October 17th during the “Citizens of the Sea” event organized by the Lions Club Vannes Bertranne. From October 18th to November 2nd, during school holidays, it will be open to the general public free of charge from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Collecting Data for Oceanographic Research
Like Fabrice Amedeo’s racing vessel, this boat is equipped with oceanographic sensors designed to provide unique data to the scientific community about the state of the oceans. These tools measure salinity, temperature, CO2 levels, microplastic presence, and other anthropogenic particles. They also collect environmental DNA for marine biodiversity studies.
“Explanations are given so that everyone can better understand how much the oceans are facing increasingly numerous threats and how much the impact of human activities makes these areas extremely vulnerable,” says Fabrice Amedeo.
Amedeo undertook an unprecedented oceanographic measurement campaign around the world last winter during his Vendée Globe race. He believes the awareness-raising vessel will have succeeded if visitors leave with a sense of wonder about the open sea and remember a simple fact:
Key Takeaway:
- 80% of ocean pollution originates on land.
- Protecting the oceans starts on land and is everyone’s responsibility.
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