French Biodiversity Research Ship Arrives
An 81,000 nautical mile, two-and-a-half year ocean-spanning scientific expedition is nearing its end in Bermuda this week.
The 118-foot French schooner “Tara” arrived in St. George’s [pictured] at the weekend on one of the final legs of its round-the-world voyage of discovery.
The schooner set sail from Lorient, France, in September of 2009 and has been gathering data and organism samples ever since in an effort to reveal more about biodiversity in the oceans which cover 70 percent of the planet. Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem like the ocean and a measure of its overall health. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate.
“We are in Bermuda under a drizzle which reminds us of Britain,” said an entry in the ship’s weblog posted yesterday [Feb.19]. “We arrived at the start of Sunday afternoon in Bermuda … We will remain in Bermuda until February 23.
“Despite a few rays of sun, early in the morning we knew that the landing in Bermuda would not happen in good weather. The sea was calm, mild temperatures, 20 °C — compared to the New York we left, very nippy.
The Research Schooner “Tara” Under Full Sail
” … Despite the gray sky, the water was an extraordinary turquoise. Onlookers walking on the tip of the south entrance of the channel greeted us in passing, and we entered the [St. George's Channel] of barely fifty meters. In this lagoon there were long colorful houses, conifers, palm trees …”
Rotating crews of seven scientists stay on board “Tara” for one leg, which typically lasts three weeks which typically run 18-36 hours.
There are 50 laboratories from 15 countries collaborating on the research. Most of the expeditions backers are based in France, where Tara got its start.
The “Tara” is owned by French fashion designer Agnes B., a supporter of environmental causes who has invested more than $3 million euros — or nearly $4 million US — each year of the expedition.
The expedition is mostly funded by European groups, but the National Aeronautics & Space Administration, the US Navy, the United Nations and several American universities also contributed.
The “Tara” will return to France on March 31, where the vessel will be on display as an educational tool for students and the public.
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Category: All, Environment
This is not a Schooner…it only has two masts. It is a Ketch…