Bastia, France

After covering nearly 4,000 miles in the 2018 season and a month of navigation around Italy, Energy Observer has returned to Bastia, Corsica. The Isle of Beauty, first destination for the Tour of the Mediterranean, welcomed the vessel and its crew last March with the greatest attention.

Arriving on 6th of August, the crew was surprised by the arrival of the CorSeaCare expedition, next to the ship, which had just completed its journey around Corsica.

The mission, comprising two trimaran kayaks, takes on board young students to study the Corsican coastline and to raise awareness among the population about protecting the environment. The scientific data collected is sent to various institutions and associations such as the Ifremer research centre, the Obsenmer participatory survey site or the Surfrider association.

Our media woman, Amélie Conty, boarded one of their small boats in order to discuss the project, study man-made noises and pick up plastic waste, which is unfortunately all too common. During this period our second captain Marin Jarry went to sail with Corsatlantic, a rowing ship aiming to cross the Atlantic by paddle next year with the message of protecting the environment.

The crew consequently had the honour of welcoming Mr. Dominique Ristori, Director General of the Directorate-General for Energy at the European Commission.

Mr. Ristori, who was already familiar with the expedition, explored the vessel and its on-board technologies with pleasure. The European senior official welcomed a pioneering project in relation to the energy challenges of the future.

Hydrogen filling was completed in a few days thanks to the Corsican sun, and the boat left the Island of Beauty today on course for the continent. Energy Observer will stop in Saint-Tropez from 11th of August to 15th of August with its free interactive exhibit, which will be open to the public.