Cruising in the Name of Science

In addition to offering travellers remote new locales, the expedition vessels of Ponant play a vital role in scientific research. 

Ponant’s involvement in the study of the regions it explores contributes to improving scientists’ knowledge of these ecosystems and works towards protecting the planet. Le Commandant Charcot‘s state-of-the-art specifications have not only revolutionised navigation capabilities but also offer a remarkable tool to the international scientific community. Moreover, they play a pivotal role in making Ponant a key research partner, on which scientists can rely while leading their research independently.

A Robust & Lasting Commitment to Academic Science 

The resources provided by Le Commandant Charcot are an extension to actions already taken by Ponant to facilitate research. Analysis of coral reefs for the University of Oxford, recording cetacean sounds for bio-acoustician Michel André or observing the behaviour of humpback whales with the NGO Conservation International, are just a few examples.

But the novelty lies in the unique features on Le Commandant Charcot which allow researchers specialised in polar regions – such as biologists, geographers, climatologists, and ethnologists – to access unexplored or rarely covered places and extend the duration of their polar campaigns on a repeat basis. The ship also offers science facilities with two research laboratories (including one with openings onto the sea) as well as autonomous measuring instruments.

The EPHE (École Pratique des Hautes Études), the University of Washington, and IFREMER (French Institute for Research and Exploitation of the Sea) are already involved in this program. Several scientists have already been on board Le Commandant Charcot, including Ted Cheeseman (Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia), Johan Etourneau (Unité Mixte de Recherches Environnements et Paléoenvironnements Océaniques et Continentaux, EPOC, Bordeaux), Hanne Sagen (Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, NERSC, Bergen, Norway), and Camille Lique (IFREMER). The latter, an oceanographer, explains why: “We were able to immerse instruments to obtain data on temperatures, salinity, and water properties from the surface to the depths. We have also deployed instruments that remain in the Arctic collecting data in the years to come. Le Commandant Charcot offers incredible opportunities for cutting-edge science”.

In addition to offering travellers remote new locales, the expedition vessels of Ponant play a vital role in scientific research. 

Citizen Science Activities

Alongside the academic science project, Ponant commits to offering its guests an opportunity to take part in the many projects led on board. Workshops and scientific protocols are animated by the naturalist experts on board, enabling the guests to get actively involved and feel they are making a tangible contribution to science. It was with this in mind that a partnership was set up with The Polar Citizen Science Collective, an association running and coordinating this type of workshop. Data collected for projects like the marine species census, cloud cover observations, or phytoplankton sampling are all being fed into programmes such as Happywhale, Globe Clouds, FjordPhyto and Seabird Surveys. The scientists onboard also give lectures on the concerns behind their various missions.

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About Author

Nick Walton

Nick Walton is a leading travel and lifestyle journalist, magazine editor, publisher, photographer, travel commentator, and media trainer, based in Hong Kong. He is also managing editor of Artemis Communications, the titles of which include Ultimate Encounters, Alpha Men Asia, and The Art of Business Travel.

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