IMOCA skippers will deploy Météo France weather and climate buoys during Vendée Arctique
In line with the trend of most major IMOCA races in recent years, the Vendée Arctique, which commenced on Sunday, June 7, will see skippers deploying weather and climate data-collecting buoys near the Arctic Circle.
Out of the nine skippers participating in the third edition of the race, which spans from Les Sables d’Olonne to the Arctic Circle and back, three will be deploying buoys on behalf of Météo-France, France’s national weather service.
These skippers are Francesca Clapcich, an Italian-American skipper on board 11th Hour Racing; Arnaud Boissières, a French skipper on April Marine-Recherche Co-Partenaire; and Manuel Cousin, a French skipper on board Coup de Pouce.
11th Hour Racing, the IMOCA Class’s Sustainability Partner dedicated to the health and resilience of ocean systems, has been actively involved in these buoy deployments for over six years. Similar deployments have been made in the Transat Café l’OR last year, the 2024 Vendée Globe, and The Ocean Race 2022-23, among other races.
In an era where maintaining robust ocean observation systems is of utmost importance, these buoy deployments provide crucial real-time data from remote regions. This data plays a vital role in enhancing weather forecasts, monitoring climate change, and gaining a deeper understanding of changes in ocean circulation.
In total, IMOCA skippers have released nearly 60 drifting buoys, with 16 of them still operational. Each of these buoys contributes significantly to weather and climate research and helps in comprehending the global warming phenomenon and its impact on ocean health.
Each buoy is equipped with a GPS transmitter, a floating anchor, a barometer, and a sea surface thermometer. Every hour, these buoys transmit data about the ocean surface, including sea temperature and atmospheric pressure. On average, the buoys drift for about two years before washing ashore, although approximately one-fifth of them survive for more than five years.
Arnaud Boissières, who participated in the last Vendée Globe, believes that releasing another buoy during the Vendée Arctique is the least he can do to protect the waters he races on.
Boissières emphasizes the ocean as their natural playground and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to sail in stunning, sometimes remote and untouched locations. He believes that if they can contribute to improving their understanding of this environment to better protect it, it is important to do so.
Boissières considers the Vendée Arctique an ideal race to deploy buoys in remote ocean areas rarely visited by vessels. He sees it as an opportunity to contribute to the understanding of how weather, climate, and the ocean are changing.
Carrying a weather buoy on board is a tangible way to contribute to this effort, according to Boissières. The data collected is particularly valuable during a race like the Vendée Arctique, which sails through areas with minimal maritime traffic and therefore limited observations. Every piece of information gathered helps scientists comprehend the ocean and its evolution.
For this race, the sailors will deploy the buoys as far north as possible, near the Arctic Circle, whenever weather conditions permit. However, their positions may be affected by course changes decided by the Race Director. Sébastien Péré, responsible for data quality from drifting buoys at Météo-France, prioritizes safety as the top priority.
Péré explains that the buoys deployed during the Vendée Arctique will collect real-time information that will be shared with scientific organizations worldwide. He emphasizes that this information will contribute to advancing knowledge of the oceans and the atmosphere, ultimately improving oceanographic and meteorological models.
In the realm of weather forecasting, Péré explains that buoys can detect the deepening of low-pressure systems, such as poorly anticipated ones in forecasting models, which can then be corrected. He emphasizes that while short-term improvements benefit all vessels in the area, the long-term value of this data could be significant for any region worldwide.
Péré highlights the role of sea temperature measurements in enhancing the quality of information in areas where satellites cannot collect data. Buoys contribute significantly to our understanding of climate change. Notably, the buoys being deployed during the Vendée Arctique are instrumental in monitoring ocean currents in the North Atlantic. They can detect any signs of slowing down, which could have substantial impacts on the global climate.
For instance, these buoys can provide data on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a system of ocean currents that transports warm water from the tropics to the North Atlantic. As the water cools and sinks to the deep ocean, it flows back south. This system prevents sea ice from forming along the Norwegian coast. Péré stresses the importance of monitoring this current to comprehend the ocean’s changing dynamics. He explains that the AMOC is a component of the global ocean circulation system, the Great Ocean Conveyor Belt, which connects all the world’s oceans.
Arnaud Boissières is fully convinced that taking on the additional responsibility of deploying a buoy during the race will be worthwhile. He asserts that we all have a responsibility to care for our planet during our time on Earth.
Boissières expresses his admiration for the beauty of the planet and the ocean. He believes that sailors can make a meaningful contribution to their preservation while pursuing their passion. He adds that if his boat can serve a purpose beyond simply achieving speed, then that would be even more commendable.