Léz'Arts Marins: scientific and humanitarian missions by Arts et Métiers engineering students

Five engineering students set sail for 10 months to carry out a scientific and humanitarian mission.

This project is led by the CREAL'Océan association: CRoisière pour l'Environnement et l'Apprentissage de l'Océan (Cruise for the Environment and Ocean Learning)
-> an association that promotes projects related to science, water, and education
-> 7 projects led to date
-> The Léz'Arts Marins project led this year

• DELANNOY Alban, AN222, Director of Angers-AMJE, Team COP3 Student
• DEMARS Paul-Marie, AN222, member of the organizing team for the Sainte Cécile gala in Angers
• FOUGEROUX Loys, CL222, Vice President of the AMJE in Cluny, member of the organizing team for the Arts et Métiers cruise Arts et Métiers Cluny
• RAMBAUD Henri, AN222, president of the Arts et Métiers cruise, head of the student center on the Angers campus
• SAUCRAY Julien, AN222, treasurer of the UAI Angers, member of the organizing team for the Arts et Métiers cruise

1 year. 1 journey. 28,000 km. 3 missions. 

-> A journey lasting around 10 months at sea and 4 months beforehand spent on land preparing the project.
-> From October to April, they will complete the first loop, from Europe to Senegal, where they will stay for a month, then cross the ocean to
the Caribbean and return via the Azores. From May to July, they will sail in Northern Europe for the end of the trip.

Scientific Missions

🔸Contributing to the CNRS database of micro- and macroplastics on European and Atlantic coastlines with For Living Oceans and Water.

-> Sorting of meso- and microplastics, data collection and live transmission to the laboratory, storage of microplastics for delivery to the laboratory upon return

Objectives: 
▪ Study secondary microplastics (photodegradation, wave action, erosion, bacterial action) to determine
the chemical footprint of plastics in order to understand their history and origin
▪ Influence French, European, and global legislation
▪ Create workshops with FLOW to raise awareness in a fun and engaging way

🔸Collecting data on Sargassum, cetaceans, and ichthyoplankton in the open sea with Astrolabe Expeditions

-> Identify the morphotype of sargassum and have it analyzed to determine its chemical fingerprint
-> Study the distribution, relative densities, and seasonal movements of different cetacean species using photo-identification and passive acoustics via a hydrophone
-> Understand the evolution of ichthyoplankton and map larvae using the appropriate equipment (Planctidex kit, net, microscope)

Humanitarian mission

🔸Participate in the development of indigo dyeing in Senegal with Voiles Sans Frontières

-> Participate in building construction and renovation projects
-> Provide IT and electrical services in the Sine Saloum region, accessible only by boat

Funding 

A project prepared over the course of a year at a cost of €80,000.

For this project, they received €20,000 in sponsorship, took out loans, and worked during the summer to raise funds.

The project is supported by the following companies: GOIOT, Auditium, LOA, Comete-J.Paris, GéoProjection, Viaxys, Albyr Structures, CEPIM, Mabris, and Green Engine, and assisted by the following public bodies: City of Angers, Jeunes à Travers le Monde, City of Thorigné-Fouillard.

Project launch

"It all started at ENSAM, where a chance encounter (between Loys and Henri) and a shared passion (sailing) gave rise to the idea for the project. During a conversation, Julien, Alban, and Paul-Marie decided to join the adventure, and we quickly identified our respective goals: Léz'Arts Marins was born. We then took part in The Odyssey Experience competition, organized by Jeanneau, which we didn't win but which enabled us to get the project off the ground. To help us, we then joined the CREAL'Océan association, which provides a structure for new projects related to the ocean. We now had everything we needed to move forward with the project!
Our many commitments in school life gave us a taste for challenges and the ambition needed to overcome them. By mobilizing our professional networks, seeking sponsors, and drawing on our experiences (scouting, navy, project management), we created Léz’Arts Marins.
The preparations then took many forms: preparing the boat, safety and survival training at sea at CEPIM, meeting with associations and planning the route and stopovers with them, fundraising, and of course, equipping ourselves for the adventure!

Why this project? 

"We wanted to create a project that combines maritime exploration, environmental commitment, and humanitarian action. Our mission in Africa with VSF demonstrates this concrete commitment to supporting local populations while learning how to better protect our planet. We all wanted to quench our thirst for adventure with a golden opportunity to do so!"

Knowledge/skills learned at Arts et Métiers applied to this project

▪ Technical skills for renovation (such as the concrete slab and walls we are currently building using local products such as shell binders),
▪ Scientific training to conduct research on the ocean microbiome with partners such as the CNRS,
▪ Mechanical design skills: construction of a stainless steel bowsprit, with weld marks to ensure strength and reliability,
▪ Technical maintenance knowledge: outboard motor maintenance and complete overhaul of the boat's electrical system,
▪ Engineering mindset: improving the boat's overall performance and solving technical problems encountered on board,
▪ Project management and logistics skills: route planning, financing of the entire project, and management of on-board resources.

Benefits of the experience, put to good use upon returning from the trip

"This expedition will be highlighted during future presentations and projects, illustrating our ability to manage a multidimensional project combining science, humanitarian work, and logistics.
For each of us, discovering new cultures and ways of doing things, particularly those of the Senegalese people in Siné Saloum and surely others we will meet later, offers us more varied perspectives from which to view each situation.
Crisis management is also omnipresent when sailing, as damage is part of the game. Having to take a step back very quickly in a critical situation and decide in less than three minutes what action to take is a particularly formative exercise.

Would you recommend this kind of experience to your fellow students at ENSAM?

"Yes, without hesitation! It's a unique opportunity to set up a project for yourself and share the benefits with as many people as possible: scientists, the village in Saloum, the young people we offer workshops to, our friends who dream through our adventures, and all those who are now considering setting up their own projects after seeing that we dared to realize ours."

One word to describe your experience

"Daring to dream took us to Africa and will take us to the Caribbean and then the North Sea aboard our sailboat."