From May 9 to June 10, Race For Water renews its commitment to protecting the oceans and sets sail once again aboard a new ambassador vessel : the MODX 70, an innovative catamaran with zero pollutant or noise emissions.
This new expedition aims to deepen the crucial links between the Ocean and the climate, notably through awareness-raising activities and a scientific mission dedicated to strengthening the monitoring of Posidonia seagrass meadows in the South of France.
| A SCIENTIFIC MISSION TO MONITOR THE EVOLUTION OF POSIDONIA
Presentation of the scientific mission
This mission, called the “Posidonia Mission” is carried out in partnership with the GIS Posidonie and supported by the French Biodiversity Agency. Its aim is to acquire updated knowledge on the status of the Posidonia meadow at its lower limit.
(c) Sabrina Inderbitzi – www.superstarseagrass.com
A scientific cooperation wih GIS Posidonie
The Scientific Interest Group created in 1982 at the initiative of the French Ministry of the Environment and the Port-Cros National Park, the GIS Posidonia (GISP) was responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the Posidonia Surveillance Network in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region from 1984 to 2003. It has recognized expertise in assessing the quality and dynamics of Posidonia meadows.
What is Posidonia?
Posidonia is a vital marine plant for the Mediterranean ecosystem. It plays a crucial role in maintaining marine biodiversity, filtering water, protecting coastlines from erosion, and combating climate change thanks to its remarkable carbon storage abilities.
A mission to trace the evolution of Posidonia over the past 40 years.
Since 1984, markers have been installed along the French Mediterranean coast to monitor the evolution of Posidonia. However, some of these markers have not been revisited since 2004.
Investigation dives at the lower limit of the Posidonia seagrass meadow (approximately 20 to 35 meters deep) are therefore planned, with scientists from GIS Posidonie, to locate these markers. 13 sites have been explored and 8 markers found along the coast of the PACA region. Preliminary results are expected in autumn 2025, but initial observations indicate a decline in the seagrass beds at most of the sites. Analysis of the samples taken from certain sites should help to explain the cause.
Objectives:
- Visit and assess characteristic seagrass meadows in the Southern Region: preserved areas (Port-Cros National Park), resilient areas (Prado Bay, heart of the Calanques National Park), areas impacted by anchoring and/or introduced species (Gulf of Saint-Tropez, Cannes Bay, Cap Martin).
- Locate and restore the historical devices whose monitoring ceased in 2004.
- Update the seagrass meadow’s evolution’s monitoring by integrating modern methods
- Estimate the date of the seagrass meadow’s disappearance in regression zones.
- Raise public awareness about the importance of the Posidonia seagrass meadow and its conservation.
| A FIRST STOPOVER IN MARSEILLE TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS.
From May 12 to 16, as part of the Mediterranean campaign of the Ocean and Climate Odyssey, the Race For Water team made a first stop in Marseille to raise awareness among the general public, students, policymakers, and businesses about the connections between the Ocean and Climate, as well as the challenges of decarbonizing maritime transport. Over 300 people were welcomed aboard Race for Water’s new ambassador vessel, a zero-emission catamaran free of both pollution and noise: the MODX 70. Additionally, many had the opportunity to learn more about ocean issues during two conferences held at Marseille’s City Hall.
A film debate on the documentary “Plastic: a collective suicide?”.
On Monday, May 12, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, a film debate was held around the documentary Plastic : A Collective Suicide?. This film highlights our dependence on plastic and its effects on health and the environment. About thirty people attended the screening. They then had the opportunity to engage in a discussion for nearly an hour with Camille Rollin, who contributed to the making of the documentary and took part in the previous Race for Water Odyssey, during which many images and testimonies featured in the film were collected.
Learning programs to educate the younger generation
During this week, nearly 200 students participated in an educational program that was both engaging, interactive, and collaborative, designed specifically for them.
Their experience began with the screening of two short films, which helped them understand the goals of the Ocean and Climate Odyssey as well as the challenges of the Posidonia mission. Camille Rollin then invited the students to collectively reflect, using the Fresque Océane card game, on the many services the ocean provides and the threats it faces.
The students continued their journey with a guided tour of the MODX 70, led by Raphaël Lambot, the ship’s captain, and Émilie Garros, a watch sailor, discovering a revolutionary catamaran in terms of energy and sustainable navigation.
To deepen their knowledge, they took part in interactive workshops run by the La Fresque Océane and Les Petits Débrouillards, exploring the close links between the ocean and climate. The youngest students concluded the experience with an artistic creation session, producing beautiful illustrated messages in tribute to the ocean.
Finally, on Thursday, May 15, alongside the program, about one hundred CM1-CM2 students had the privilege of attending a presentation on the documentary Posidonia, in the presence of its filmmakers, Nelly Kars and Bruno Lambert.
A seminar dedicated to the decarbonization of maritime transport.
On Tuesday, May 13, an exclusive seminar dedicated to decarbonizing maritime transport took place aboard the ambassador vessel, the MODX 70.
The event brought together Marseille-based experts and pioneers in the maritime transition to share innovative technological and strategic solutions.
About a dozen key stakeholders from the local maritime sector attended the seminar. Innovative presentations and concrete testimonies highlighted the urgent need to decarbonize maritime transport and showcased solutions already in action : cargo sailboats, smart wing sails, solar propulsion, hydrogen, and hydrogeneration.
The goal ? To reconcile technological performance with respect for the oceans. It was a fascinating dive into a cleaner, more sustainable, and human-centered maritime future, detailed in the full report.
SPEAKERS
- Marco Simeoni, Founder and President of the Race for Water Foundation
- Christophe Madrolle, President of the Sea Commission, South Region, France
- Franck David, Executive Director of Ocean Development
- Colomban Monnier, President of the ENSM Foundation
- Djamina Houdet Caseneuve, co-founder of the HISSEO
- Nicolas Imbert, Executive Director of GREENCROSS
- Jean Guyon, Executive Director of AEROFORCE
You can find the full report right here.
A conference on posidonia to highlight the importance of preserving this seagrass habitat.
On Thursday, May 15, at the Espace Villeneuve-Bargemon, a conference on Posidonia was held, featuring a range of speakers aiming to raise public awareness about the importance of preserving this unique seagrass meadow found only in the Mediterranean.
The conference began with a welcome address by Hervé Menchon, Deputy mayor of Marseille, who emphasized the importance of local action in the face of global climate challenges.
Camille Rollin then introduced the Race For Water Foundation and its Posidonia mission, dedicated to the preservation of this vital underwater plant.
Charles-François Boudouresque offered valuable insight into how this Mediterranean seagrass meadow symbolizes the deep connections between the ocean and the climate, highlighting Posidonia preservation as a powerful act of climate resilience.
The evening continued with the exclusive premiere screening of the documentary film Posidonia, directed by Nelly Kars and Bruno Lambert. This sporting and maritime adventure deeply moved the audience, sparking strong interest and numerous questions.
The night concluded with a dynamic exchange with the audience, reflecting a shared commitment to protecting marine ecosystems.
| A SECOND STOPOVER IN NICE FOR THE 3RD UN OCEAN CONFERENCE.
A public conference entitled “seagrasses: a treasure for the ocean and the climate”.
On Monday, June 2nd, the Foundation held a conference titled “Seagrasses : A Treasure for the Ocean and the Climate,” highlighting the many ecological services provided by seagrass meadows : carbon storage, coastal protection, and habitat for diverse and rich marine life.
Patrick Astruch, research engineer at GIS Posidonie, shared his expertise to illustrate these issues, using Posidonia, a Mediterranean emblematic species, as a key example. He also presented best practices and existing solutions to preserve these ecosystems against human and climate pressures.
This conference was part of the “Posidonia” mission, led by the Race for Water Foundation from May 9th to June 10th in the PACA region, in partnership with GIS Posidonie. It also served as a mid-term update to announce initial results observed by the scientists.
A public conference entitled “tales from the open sea: testimonies of the wonders of the ocean”.
On Tuesday, June 3rd, the Foundation participated in the conference series “Tales from the Open Sea: Testimonies of the Wonders of the Ocean.” Marco Simeoni, President and Founder of Race for Water, and Camille Rollin, Coordinator of the Ocean and Climate Odyssey, shared their commitments through the Foundation’s story and presented the new ambassador ship, present in Nice on the Posidonia mission as part of the Ocean and Climate Odyssey.
Educational activities to raise awareness among young generations and the general public.
From June 2nd to 4th, aboard the Race for Water MODX 70, several educational workshops were organized in partnership with La Fresque Océane. These interactive sessions gave young people and the public a hands-on opportunity to explore Race for Water’s commitments to ocean protection. Through discussions, role-playing, and fun tools, participants deepened their understanding of the interactions between the ocean and the climate, and became aware of their connection to this essential ecosystem for life on Earth.
The program concluded with an exclusive tour of the revolutionary zero-emission, noiseless MODX 70 vessel, led by Captain Raphaël Lambot and watch sailor Emilie Garros.
In less than 48 hours, we welcomed 65 students and their chaperones, as well as 50 visitors from the general public aboard.
l THE GREAT PARADE FOR THE OCEAN.
On Sunday, June 8th, the MODX 70 participated in the Great Parade for the Ocean, an iconic event organized by Yvan Griboval with support from the Région Sud. About thirty exceptional vessels, known as the “Wonders of the Ocean,” paraded in the Bay of Angels to celebrate World Ocean Day. This spectacular parade also marked the official launch of the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), whose diplomatic sessions began the following day. Majestic sailing ships, exploration vessels, and oceanographic fleet boats sailed under the watchful eyes of political leaders, UNOC delegates, and a large public audience honoring the ocean.