Nexans boards with skipper Fabrice Amedeo

Nexans and Fabrice Amedeo, a focus on oceanographic research

Aboard his monohull, the skipper installed oceanographic sensors that collect valuable analysed data and then make it available to the international scientific community to help it gain a better understanding of the impacts of global warming and pollution on the oceans. Taking part in the Vendée Globe for the third time, Fabrice Amedeo wishes to expand his eco-citizen approach by travelling the oceans without fossil fuels, aboard a boat powered and driven by wind, water and the sun.

Scientific results of the samples collected in the Atlantic

The microplastics sensor of the Imoca Nexans - Art et Fenêtres has three filters that are changed every 24 hours during the race: 300 microns, 100 microns and 30 microns. 53 samples were taken in the Atlantic Ocean during the last Vendée Globe, corresponding to approximately 53 days of sailing.

First scientific results: results of measurements at 300 microns

This study, led by three French institutes: Ifremer, the University of Bordeaux and the IRD (a public research institution), reveals that the surface waters of the Atlantic Ocean are twice as polluted by cellulose fibres as it is by microplastics.

This study, based on measurements taken from an offshore race boat, also shows that the North Atlantic is more affected by plastic pollution than the South Atlantic and questions the dynamics of the subtropical gyre (area with a high concentration of microplastics) since the pollution levels measured there are lower than expected.

Results of the measurements at a precision level of 100 microns

All these measurement campaigns are analyzed by scientists from the University of Bordeaux and Ifremer.

The analyses indicate a significant presence of cellulose fibers in the filters: they are 40 times more concentrated on the 100 µm sieves with a distribution in the water column almost equivalent to that of microplastics. Another striking fact is that 100% of the samples from the 100 µm sieves contain microplastics compared to 64% for the 300 µm sieves.

By going from an analysis of 300 to 100 µm, the presence of microparticles (cellulose fibers and microplastics fragments) increases, and the proportion of microplastics is also on the rise: at 300 µm, there are twice as many cellulose fibers, at 100 µm, the proportion is 54% cellulose fibers and 46% microplastics.

Nexans aeronautics-grade cables on board

Involved in an ambitious project by Imoca Nexans – Art & Fenêtres, Fabrice Amedeo and his team are working to complete the installation of the new C-foils before the launch. This work involves refurbishing all of the vessel's operating systems. For electronics, Nexans has developed all the monohull’s wiring, making it lighter and more efficient.

Before taking to the sea again and re-experiencing the excitement of departure and the thrill of the race, a few weeks ago, they were working in the shade on a painstaking but essential task.