IMOCA Sailors: Essential Contributors to Global Oceanographic Research
by IMOCA Globe Series 25 Oct 08:11 PDT
Rosalin Kuiper with a buoy for collecting Real-Time Marine Weather Data during The Ocean Race © Antoine Auriol / Team Malizia / The Ocean Race
The Vendée Globe represents not only an extraordinary human and sporting venture but also a substantial scientific contribution often overlooked by the public.
Since 2015, the IMOCA Class has partnered with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) to involve skippers as pivotal players in oceanographic research.
In conjunction with UNESCO, these sailors carry advanced instruments to measure vital ocean parameters. Their efforts enhance our comprehension of global climate and ocean health while improving weather and climate models.
This collaborative effort is part of the Odyssey project initiated by OceanOPS to support the United Nations’ proclaimed Decade of Ocean Science. The Odyssey project aims to recognize and coordinate all ocean observation contributions from civil society, the private sector, and offshore racing within a unified framework.
Originating from a strategic alliance between UNESCO, the Vendée Globe, and the IMOCA Class, this partnership seeks to expedite oceanographic research and enhance weather forecasting. Specifically, 25 skippers from the 2024 Vendée Globe will utilize measurement instruments, effectively transforming the race into a true global “floating scientific station.” These devices will gather valuable data, particularly in under-sampled areas like the Southern Ocean, aiding in improving weather forecasting services and providing essential information for scientists investigating climate change.
The scientific instruments onboard, supplied by key organizations such as Ifremer, Météo France, the UK Met Office, CNES, GEOMAR, the TARA Foundation, and ETH Zürich, utilize state-of-the-art technology. The data gathered by these instruments will contribute to the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), overseen by OceanOPS, the international center of excellence for UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), responsible for managing these weather and oceanographic observation systems.
Additionally, this project encompasses educational initiatives directed at schools to promote awareness among youth about ocean conservation and climate challenges.
Collaboration Between Sailors and Scientists: A Beneficial Synergy
As noted by Emanuela Rusciano, oceanographer and Science and Communication Director at OceanOps/UNESCO, this partnership builds on over a decade of collaboration with offshore racing skippers, particularly those from the IMOCA Class. “It’s a mutually beneficial relationship,” she states. “By deploying weather buoys, sailors gain from their scientific contributions. These buoys collect data such as atmospheric pressure, improving their race weather forecasts. This critical information for skippers’ performance is shared with the global scientific community.”
However, the sailors’ impact extends beyond enhancing their forecasts. The data they gather is vital for feeding the Global Ocean Observing System, which seeks to collect as much marine weather data as possible annually. “Research vessels can’t access all oceanic regions simultaneously, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, which faces significant data shortages. Collaborating with Vendée Globe skippers becomes increasingly valuable,” Rusciano emphasizes.
In-Depth Instruments for Better Ocean Understanding
During the 2024 Vendée Globe, multiple types of scientific instruments will feature onboard the boats. Among them are notable Argo floats that gather ocean temperature and salinity data, crucial for studying large-scale ocean currents. These floats also enable analysis of the ocean’s thermal content, a significant indicator of global warming. “Since the 1970s, it has been established that oceans have absorbed 91% of the excess heat from increasing greenhouse gases,” Rusciano explains.
Tracking these temperature changes is essential for understanding the ocean’s impact on climate regulation and climate change. This data is then incorporated into weather and climate prediction models, aiding experts in refining forecasts and better predicting extreme events.
Buoys for Real-Time Marine Weather Data Collection
Another key element of this data collection endeavor involves drifting buoys. Sailors will release these buoys in the South Atlantic and Southern Oceans. “The ocean surrounding Antarctica is the least explored on Earth. It is one of the rare regions where an ocean current circulates the globe, carrying these buoys in a nearly continuous loop,” explains Sébastien Péré, an expert from Météo France.
These buoys monitor currents for several months or even years, yielding continuous data on oceanic conditions. “This is a significant opportunity to gather valuable insights in under-sampled areas,” he notes.
The Innovative Project – Paul Meilhat and Biotherm
Through his project with Biotherm and the Tara Foundation, Paul Meilhat actively engages in ocean research, particularly focused on plankton—micro-organisms that drift with ocean currents. Biotherm has been dedicated to ocean conservation since 1952 and has partnered with Tara since 2017, embodying the motto “Purpose Drives Performance.” This partnership has resulted in the installation of a 35kg automatic microscope aboard Meilhat’s IMOCA. Its imaging feeds into a database analyzed by artificial intelligence with a recognition accuracy of 98%. This device has been in development for two years to endure the race’s extreme conditions, continuing Tara’s 21-year commitment to public research across the oceans, led by Romain Troublé.
The microscope is located centrally in the boat, collecting water samples hourly and taking photographs every 20 minutes. To date, it has captured 4 million images with the aim of gathering an additional one million during the Vendée Globe 2024. These time-stamped and geolocated images will be accessible to all researchers via the EcoTaxa database, providing unprecedented insights into marine ecosystems. This sensor signifies a groundbreaking advancement in oceanic study, supporting Tara’s overall mission to find solutions for ocean preservation.
The Future
Sailors in future Vendée Globe editions have a significant role ahead as their contributions continue and expand. Rusciano envisions that by 2028, all race boats will be equipped with measurement instruments. “Supporting ocean observation is vital, and skippers are crucial to this mission,” she expressed.
Through these collaborations, IMOCA skippers are breaking boundaries in sports. Sailors are not just solitary competitors on the water but also ambassadors for science, aiding in the understanding and preservation of oceans.
What equipment does each skipper carry?
Oliver Heer: OceanPack + Argo Float
Antoine Cornic: TSG Gaillard + Weather Buoy + Weather Station
Tanguy Le Turquais: Weather Station
Kojiro Shiraishi: Argo Float
Sam Goodchild: Argo Float + Calitoo
Sébastien Marsset: Argo Float + Weather Station
Romain Attanasio: TSG Gaillard + Weather Buoy
Boris Herrmann: OceanPack + Weather Buoy
Guirec Soudée: Argo Float
Maxime Sorel: Argo Float
Szabi WEORES: Argo Float + Weather Station
Arnaud Boissières: Weather Buoy + Calitoo
Sam Davies: Calitoo
Pip Hare: Calitoo
Paul Meilhat: Planktoscope
Nicolas Lunven: OceanPack
Benjamin Dutreux: Weather Station
Clarisse Crémer: Weather Buoy + ARGOS Marget II
Denis Van Weynbergh: Weather Buoy
Fabrice Amedeo: OceanPack + Argo Float
Yoann Richomme: Argo Float + ARGOS Marget II
Louis Duc: Weather Buoy
Manu Cousin: Weather Buoy
Louis Burton: Calitoo
Jingkun Xu: Argo Float
