LE MANGUIER, AN ALTERNATIVE BOAT IN OCEANS' SERVICE
On 26th April 2009, Le Manguier got under sail from the Old Pier of Bastia (Corsica), her home port, for an exceptional adventure: to rally from Corsica to Japan by sailing a mythical passage, the famous Northern Sea Route, that once hugged the coast of Siberia before joining the Pacific by the Bering Strait. In total, the distance is more than 10 000 miles that Le Manguier will have to navigate, for this first stage of its Pacific Exploration.
For this extraordinary trip, an uncommon crew! Ten people embarked on this adventure: Philippe Hercher, Le Manguier skipper; Cécile Zawieja, his wife, painter of the expedition, France Pinczon du Sel and Eric Brossier; from the Vagabond, first foreign sailing boat that realised the North East passage in 2002; Philippe Rigaud, historian, who will share the writing part with Karin Huet, writer; Judith Puzzuoli, in charge of communication, Tristan Monbureau, cameraman. And of course Agathe Hercher (6) and Léonie Brossier (2), as this trip is also dedicated to future generations...
Le Manguier is a former tug boat from the National Marine built in 1968 in Laperriere Shipyard, in Lorient (France). In 2003, a team of enthusiasts undertook to recycle it and to transform it into an alternative boat. Their objective: to show that we can navigate a working boat while being respectful of the oceans: by using less energy (and therefore less diesel oil), by using green energies, causing less pollution. Le Manguier has been equipped with a mixed propulsion sail/engine, solar panels, solar heaters, as well as a solar concentrator, intended for populated areas where wood is scarce. On board, a bildge filter has been set up to limit the impact of throwing up on the environment. Finally, Le Manguier will test during its periplus a brand new anti-fouling respectful of the environment.
In this adventure which connects one island to another, the captain, Philippe Hercher, Bastia born, hopes to promote Corsica’s ecological values carried by Le Manguier and therefore publicise Corsica’s innovative green thinking during docking at the various ports. A 52' film is on hand, co-produced by France 3 Corse. The team members are also preparing two publications: a road diary and a cooking diary, both widely illustrated with photos, drawings and watercolours.
“Port of call Events” are planned all along the route, from Spain to Japan to meet the fishermen communities, associations and people involved in environmental issues and offer them this new vision .of energy on board working boats.
> Follow Le Manguier in live with the blog of the expédition
and the satellite positioning beacon
