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The Yersin: a ship dedicated to science
and oceanography A Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) led
by Professor Patrick Rampal, president of
the Scientific Centre of Monaco, and com-
This 77-metre yacht is a veritable floating research posed of world-renowned specialists, will
laboratory. Its owner, oceanography buff François FIAT, select the research programmes. “Unders-
tanding the oceans is necessary to our sur-
has allowed the Principality to use his “dream boat” vival. They represent 71% of the globe and
for this 2017-2020 exploration campaign. are threatened by human activity and global
warming,” Patrick Rampal notes. During the
launch of this unique campaign, Françoise
The Yersin was purpose-built in Concarneau to sail all Gaill, CNRS marine organism specialist and
SSC member echoed this: “To protect our
seas, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Its reinforced hull planet, first we must understand it. And the

makes it able to resist polar chill or extreme heat. It can ocean is the last continent that remains to be
explored. Our hypothesis is that it is a refuge
carry 18 passengers who will have at their disposal two for biodiversity.”
laboratories, a conference room, a diving platform and

hoisting gear. Some 120 years on,
the Yersin sets sail

The Yersin is also environmentally responsible: it is for Macaronesia.
equipped with various treatment, purification and storage
Carrying out this research requires innova-
systems for wastewater which greatly surpass current tive techniques and equipment: scientists on

norms. It also has an exhaust particle filter and an anti- board the Yersin will have drones, underwa-
ter vehicles, and imaging and DNA analysis
collision mechanism to protect cetaceans. devices at their disposal to enable them
to record and analyse both the visible and
the invisible. “There are similarities between
polar environments and the ocean”, notes
Black Sea Yves Frenot, another eminent SSC member
Eastern Med.
MONACO and director of the Emile-Victor Polar Insti-
Macaronesia APRIL 2020 On Madeira, they will study the monk seal, tute. “They are hostile and difficult to reach,
SEPTEMBER 2017
an endangered species that the Prince hence the importance of this kind of in-
MADEIRA Albert II of Monaco Foundation has sup- frastructure to ensure the long-term effec-
Caribbean ported for many years in the Mediterranean. tiveness of projects, inventories and studies
NOV./DEC. 2017 CAPE VERDE Western Coral Triangle
Mediterranean MAR./APRIL 2019 In Cape Verde, the Explorations will walk in in enhancing our understanding.”
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MAY/JUNE 2020 PALAOS Prince Albert I’s footsteps by returning to an
MARTINIQUE OMAN TUBBATAHA islet where he collected several specimens This scientific exploration campaign is nee-
East Pacific Corridor
JAN./FEB./MAR. 2018 MALPELO MALDIVE of Giant Skink. Although this lizard species ded more than ever given the issue of global
ISLANDS SULAWESI MANADO is today considered extinct, the expedition’s warming. Science is the indisputable tool to
GALAPAGOS
Indian Ocean TORRES STRAIT researchers hope to find some remaining in- move forward and ensure the conservation of
NOV./DEC. 2019 CHAGOS dividuals. The scientific teams will also visit these fragile environments and to raise awar-
MARQUESES ISLANDS BANGGAÏ the reproduction grounds of the loggerhead eness among policy-makers and the public.
SEYCHELLES
MILLENIUM turtle, an endangered species for which Gabriel Gorsky, SSC member and profes-
ISLAND Coral Sea
NOV./DEC. 2018 Cape Verde is the world’s third most im- sor at the Villefranche-sur-Mer Oceanogra-
Polynesia portant breeding site. The archipelago is an phic Laboratory insists: “Only by obtaining
JULY/AUG. 2018 NEW CALEDONIA exceptional biodiversity hotspot, home to a impeccable data may we demonstrate the
number of shark and ray species. urgent need to modify our behaviour.”