Explore to better understand the world and above all to better protect it. This is exploration from all angles which is the theme of the Day of Exploration. Organised by Yacht Club de Monaco on Tuesday 24 March, in partnership with The Explorers Club of New York, it is part of the programme for the first Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting Rendezvous which is on from 21 to 24 March. Explorers, scientists and prominent figures will be sharing their experiences, be they in the depths of the ocean, the polar regions or beyond our planet. They represent a diverse range of careers and approaches with a common goal to better understand the world in order to better assess its vulnerability.
The morning sessions will reveal just how many different forms exploration can take.
Marine biologist Daniel Cáceres Bartra presents his work focused on protecting the tropical seas of Peru, an ecosystem that is home to nearly 70% of the country’s marine bio-diversity. His commitment to protecting the “Blue Five” (sharks, rays, turtles, dolphins, whales) reflects the increasingly strong link between scientific exploration and ocean conservation.
Kakani Katija is head of MBARI’s Bioinspiration Lab which develops imaging and observation technologies to explore mysteries of the deep sea. Their work paves the way to new perspectives and understanding of the extraordinary adaptations by marine organisms to survive in extreme environments, where pressure, darkness and cold redefine the rules of life.
Exploration does not however stop with the oceans when Franck Baldet, Technical Director at Venturi Space, turns the focus on to outer space. His talk will outline the lunar and Martian Rover projects designed for the Artemis programme’s future missions, further extending Monaco’s historic heritage in the fields of navigation and exploration.
The second session highlights other forms of exploration where scientific research crosses over with history, culture and biodiversity conservation.
Explorer and filmmaker Trevor Wallace, the driving force behind the Menorca Shipwreck Project, presents this underwater excavation campaign in the port of Ciutadella. It brings together archaeologists, members of The Explorers Club and students in a long-term project to document several centuries of Mediterranean maritime history, while also training a new generation of archaeologists.
As for the scientist and underwater photographer Arzucan “Zuzu” Askin, her research is focused on protecting sharks and other large marine predators. Through the Anthroposea project, she combines observation technologies with visual storytelling and scientific research to better understand relationships between human societies and marine wildlife in the Anthropocene era.
Finally, explorer Martin Nweeia, a world expert on narwhals, shares his results from several decades of research in the Arctic. His work combines scientific knowledge and indigenous wisdom to unravel the mystery of the famous tusk of the narwhal, a marine mammal long known as the “unicorn of the sea”. The session concludes with a traditional Greenlandic dance performed by Navarana K’avigak’ Sørensen, a reminder that exploration is also about dialogue with local cultures and territories.
In the afternoon, those who carry on the legacy of famous explorers will be honoured, such as Philippe and Ashlan Cousteau. Both travel the world documenting marine ecosystems and raising awareness among young people of climate issues and ocean protection.
Then there is the marine biologist and navigator Andreas B. Heide who uses his Arctic sailing boat Barba as a mobile scientific platform. As a result of his expeditions to the polar regions he has observed the rapid changes taking place in marine ecosystems, particularly among whale populations and high-latitude wildlife.
A change of theme with Victor Vescovo and naval architect Espen Øino, who discuss design requirements for a vessel totally dedicated to deep-sea exploration. Conceived to push the current boundaries, it should open the way to new scientific missions in largely unchartered territory.
The final session broadens the perspective on exploration, by showing how it also feeds into art, culture and the collective imagination.
Photojournalist Steve McCurry, famous for his iconic images from around the world, discusses the connection between travel, creation and design with Niccolò and Filippo Ricci. Together they will revisit several expeditions which inspired the Florentine fashion house Stefano Ricci’s Explorer series.
The day concludes with a conversation between the renowned marine biologist Sylvia Earle, a leading figure in underwater exploration with over a hundred expeditions to her credit, and the photographer and advocate of the environment, Prince Hussain Aga Khan. They will explore the roles of science, imagery and storytelling in shaping our perceptions of the ocean.
The range of speakers and talks is an opportunity to discuss exploration from all angles, a reminder that it is not just an adventure but a mission, a research tool and a collective responsibility.
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