“Science Mission accomplished!” – Boris Herrmann deploys Weather Buoy during Vendée Globe
by Team Malizia 18 Nov 15:24 PST
Boris Herrmann from Team Malizia deployed a drifter buoy northwest of Cabo Verde this afternoon during his race in the Vendée Globe © Boris Herrmann / Team Malizia
Boris Herrmann, skipper of Team Malizia, deployed a weather buoy northwest of Cabo Verde this afternoon while participating in the Vendée Globe. This scientific device will drift with ocean currents and collect vital data essential for weather forecasting and monitoring climate change.
Since 2018, Boris Herrmann and his team have consistently carried scientific instruments onboard their IMOCA racing yacht, becoming one of the leading contributors of ocean data in this year’s Global Carbon Budget, which is a significant publication in climate science.
Boris Herrmann and Team Malizia strive to enhance scientific research, promote ocean protection, and foster ambitious climate action while competing at the highest level in challenging offshore races. This commitment was especially evident today on Day 8 of the renowned Vendée Globe. As he raced against 39 competitors northwest of Cabo Verde, Herrmann deployed one of eight weather buoys in the race at 14:00 UTC, just south of 21 degrees N this Tuesday afternoon.
“In recent years, with our team, we have repeatedly deployed various weather buoys and devices like Argo floats, including during the last Vendée Globe, The Ocean Race, the Transat Jacques Vabre 2023, and The Transat CIC this spring,” noted the German skipper. “These buoys are crucial for both meteorology and climatology.”
In a video sent just hours ago, Herrmann expressed: “Hopefully, today we are once again contributing positively to science and enhancing our understanding of climate change, along with improving weather and climate models!” After signing phrases like “There’s no planet B,” “Malizia,” “Climate Action Now!” and his name, he deployed the buoy: “Alright, let’s get this overboard! Cheers, bye bye, and bring us good measurements!” Facing the camera, he concluded: “Science mission accomplished!”
The drifting buoys float with ocean currents and collect data on temperature, surface currents, and atmospheric pressure. Sébastien Péré from Météo France explained: “Atmospheric pressure isn’t measurable by satellites, and drifter buoys provide one of the few means to gather this information. Thus, their deployment is essential for accurate weather forecasting and climate change monitoring.”
Currently, around 1,300 drifter buoys are deployed worldwide, with approximately 230 in the North Atlantic, where the IMOCA fleet is racing during the first week of Vendée Globe 2024-2025. Several hundred new buoys must be deployed annually to meet WMO requirements and ensure a baseline quality for weather forecasting. The deployment of this drifter buoy in the race is being coordinated through UNESCO, the Vendée Globe, the IMOCA class, Météo France, and OceanOPS.
Péré added, “Data from drifter buoys also enhances vessel routing, which helps mitigate environmental impacts. Boris was a pioneer among IMOCA skippers in deploying these buoys. During the Vendée Globe 2020-2021, he was one of just three sailors to do so. We are pleased that he has consistently continued this practice over the years, and it’s great to see more sailors following suit.”
Alongside Herrmann, who has operated the OceanPack since 2018, four other skippers are deploying weather buoys in an area with limited observations between the Canary Islands and Cabo Verde. Two additional skippers will deploy a different type of weather buoy near the Cape of Good Hope and off the coast of Madagascar. Overall, a record total of 25 skippers are utilizing scientific devices in this 10th edition of the race: OceanPack, Argo float, drifter buoy, planktoscope, and weather station…
Promoting awareness for ocean and climate protection through sailing is ingrained in Team Malizia’s philosophy and their mission, A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now!, supported by seven principal partners. “Like in every race, delivery, or training we undertake, I also have the OceanPack onboard,” explained the German skipper. “This automated laboratory precisely measures ocean CO2 concentrations, temperature, and salinity data. To date, we’ve compiled one of the largest accessible datasets, freely available for scientists working to better understand the ocean’s role within the climate system.”
Léa Olivier, a postdoctoral researcher at the Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), analyzes Team Malizia’s data. She states: “I am excited to collaborate closely with Team Malizia. The data they have collected is already impactful, with CO2 measurements from The Ocean Race feeding straight into the 2024 Global Carbon Budget—one of the key publications in climate science. The preprint was published just three days ago, showcasing the vital understanding of the ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon and buffer our climate. Malizia – Seaexplorer is indeed a top contributor to ocean data this year!”
Earlier this year, the significance of a single measurement campaign by Malizia – Seaexplorer during one race was highlighted in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports. Scientists demonstrated that data collected by Team Malizia’s racing yacht plays a crucial role in estimating the ocean’s carbon sink, addressing crucial measurement gaps, especially in under-sampled areas such as the Southern Ocean.
Olivier concludes: “This partnership between science and sport embodies the essence of climate action and exploration. I am eager to observe the discoveries that lie ahead as we race not just towards the finish line, but for the future of our planet.”
Team Malizia’s mission, A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now!, is made possible through the unwavering support of its seven main partners: Hapag-Lloyd, Schütz, the Yacht Club de Monaco, EFG International, Zurich Group Germany, Kuehne+Nagel, and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company. These partners stand alongside Team Malizia, each pursuing projects in their respective fields to innovate around climate solutions.
