> Expedition crew
Philippe HERCHER, expedition leader
Born in 1955, Philippe is from Corsica. At the age of 10 he discovered sailing and the maritime universe in the bay of Saint-Florent. In 1976 he accomplishes his first expedition on board of the Curza -a sailing boat of 6.50 m -sailing for 9 months across the Mediterranean Sea. Round trip in 1979 with the Curza II, a 10m self-made sailboat. In 1982, Philippe becomes ‘Cap-Horner’ after a 4 months expedition to Patagonia. He creates and manages the shipyard “Brasil Multicascos”, in Cabo Frio, where he settles for 10 years.
Back to France in 1993, he starts working in associations concerned by the protection of the maritime heritage. Then he creates the association “Rivages de Mediterranée”.
In 2002, he buys Le Manguier and undertakes its renovation. At the same time he starts on the preparation of the project “Exploration Pacifique”.
Cécile ZAWIEJA, traveller and painter
Both graduated ‘DEA’ in Art and Literature and from the École d'Avignon, Cécile is working as a painter and a decorator: monuments restoration, creation and repair of frescoes, "trompe-l'oeil". Numerous illustrated journals have been produced from her sails around in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and the Pacific.
France PINCZON du SEL and Eric BROSSIER
In 2002 and 2003, France and Eric completed the first circumnavigation of the Arctic Ocean sailing through the two mythical Passages of the North East and North West on board of the Vagabond (see web site). Since 2004, they winter in the Spitzberg and carry out scientific missions in partnership with the IPEV (Institut Paul Emile Victor). In addition to their great human qualities, their experience of ice fields and of the Northeast Passage are a major asset to the success of the project.
Agathe Hercher, 5 years, and Léonie Brossier, 1 year
will accompany their parents in this extraordinary adventure.
Judith PUZZUOLI - (embark in Bastia)
Several experiences aboard traditional sailing boats (in the Caribbean Sea and in Brittany) gave her passion for sea and discovery. After finishing studies in sustainable tourism, she embarks on Le Manguier as responsible of the communication, so to practice and enlarge her experience in the setting up of environmental projects.
Karin Huet, writer - (Embark in Tromso)
« To embark on Le Manguier Ark with other human specimens, and their young children. Through the ice bank ruins, play Russian rolling. Wishing to double a continent in a few days, as if it was a cap. Wishing to navigate so quick without polluting. To try… I love adventure. And I trust in the captain”.
Philippe Rigaud, Historian (Embark in Bastia)
« The tropism of remote and cold seas for a Mediterranean, why not? When in prevision of this trip we fed with expedition and discovery stories about these arctic and Siberian spaces…
For an historian specialized in Middle Age and Renaissance Mediterranean who tries himself at navigating to cold seas… Why not, after all?”
Temporary Team members
Various people will come to complete the crew between Bastia and Tromso, so to contribute to the success of this project.
