PRESENTATION

UNDER THE POLE

UNDER THE POLE is an underwater exploration program, which combines scientific research, innovation, and awareness for a better knowledge and preservation of the oceans.

THE CREW

THE CREW

THE BASE

THE BASE

THE BOATS

THE BOATS

UNDER THE POLE III

UNDER THE POLE III

UNDER THE POLE II

UNDER THE POLE II

UNDER THE POLE I

UNDER THE POLE I

DIVING TECHNIQUES

DIVING TECHNIQUES

CONFERENCE

Discover the next conference

THE CREW

PASSIONATE PEOPLE

The UNDER THE POLE expeditions have already brought together 150 crew members and 180 partner companies and research institutes. They are led by a couple who have made their passion for exploration a profession and a way of life.

Ghislain BARDOUT

EXPEDITIONS CO-FOUNDER AND CO-DIRECTOR
UNDER THE POLE

Emmanuelle PÉRIÉ-BARDOUT

EXPEDITIONS CO-FOUNDER AND CO-DIRECTOR
UNDER THE POLE

EXPEDITIONS
UNDER THE POLE
EN 4 MINUTES

MEANS

THE BASE

MEANS

THE BOATS

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THE WHY NOT

The WHY NOT boat is an advanced research platform, spectially designed to allow exploration of the mesophotic zone from 30 to 200 m, in every ocean and season. Equipped with two fast boats, a marine biology laboratory and a decompression chamber, it is the operational hub of the UNDER THE POLE IV • DEEPLIFE program.

THE WHY

The WHY expedition boat is a sturdy aluminum schooner, designed to navigate in every sea, in tropics, in polar regions and even to winter when caught in the pack ice.

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MEANS

DIVING TECHNIQUES

MATERIAL AND EXPERIENCE OF
DEEP DIVING

UNDER THE POLE divers use underwater thrusters and closed-circuit diving suits (called “rebreathers”) which allow them to dive for longer, deeper and to get as close as possible to the fauna in silence and without blowing bubbles.

Perfectionning their technique for two years in the polar region and by carrying out two world premieres (the first dive to more than 100 m in the polar region and the first dive to more than 100 m under the pack ice), our divers have built a unique experience.

École de Plongée Svalbard
plongeurs UNDER THE POLE équipés avec les recycleurs

INNOVATIONS OF
DIVING TECHNIQUES

During the UNDER THE POLE III expedition, the Research & Development crew has developed a communication system between the surface and the divers. It connects by a fiber optic cable the underwater camera to the screen located on the WHY boat. It is coupled with an audio system that will increase the efficiency of scientific dives: divers become the eyes of researchers who can give live instructions (where to look, what to sample, etc.). This way the scientists explore the mesophotic layer (30 to 200 m depth), observe it remotely, and study the samples.

Since 2017, the crew develops a saturation life “capsule” tested in 2018 in the Polynesian warm waters. Saturation is an equilibrium state that the diver reaches after a certain period of immersion. From this point on, the diver can stay at depth without increasing the time required to return to the surface. So far this technique is only used in industrial diving on oil or gas platforms. Adapted, it could revolutionize scientific studies of the deep underwater environment.

THE DIVING
CCR

A typical scuba tank lasts about 45 minutes for 10 m depth and only 10 minutes for 90 m depth. This is unsuitable for exploring.

A rebreather assures autonomy (longer and deeper dives) and thus provides access to the mesophotic zone thanks to a closed circuit, optimized use of gas and decompression. It collects the exhaled gas, treats it, and returns it to the diver, who can adjust the flow when needed. Without any bubbles, it allows the divers to approach closely the fearful marine life. This technology is reserved for disciplined and well-trained divers. The equipment should be maintained to perfection and the gas level should be carefully adjusted.

Under The Pole III is back in Moorea in French Polynesia. This time, it is for a revolutionary program of saturation diving which will allow divers to stay underwater for several days and nights at a time: the ''Capsule'' program. Ghislain Bardout's vision is to get rid of the physiological and technical hurdles that currently limit the duration of the immersions to just a few hours. This innovative and portable technology is dedicated to the knowledge of our oceans and the marine life.Under The Pole III est de retour a Moorea en Polynesie francaise. Cette fois, c'est pour y mettre en oeuvre un programme revolutionaire de plongee a saturation qui permettra aux plongeurs de rester immerger plusieurs jours et plusieurs nuits: le programme ''Capsule''. La vision de Ghislain Bardout est de faire tomber les barrieres techniques et physiologiques qui limitent aujourd'hui les temps d'immersions a quelques heures seulement. Cette technologie innovante et legere est dediee a la decouverte scientifique des oceans et de la vie marine.

the expeditions

2021 - 2030

UNDER THE POLE IV • DEEPLIFE

DEEPLIFE research program, devoted to the exploration of the oceans mesophotic zone to 200 m depth, has been recognized as an official project of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development.

© Erwan Marivint @ Under The Pole - 2019
Exploration Under The Pole Capsule

2017 - 2021

UNDER
THE POLE III

The UNDER THE POLE led an extraordinary adventure dedicated to the oceans exploration. For 4 years, divers and scientists traveled the world aboard the WHY polar schooner, from the Arctic to the Pacific, exploring polar and tropical underwater environments.

2014 - 2015

UNDER
THE POLE II

A systemic exploration of the seabed throughout the Greenland west coast, over one season cycle with overwintering in pack ice, between the surface and 112 m depth.

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2010

UNDER
THE POLE I

Deepsea UNDER THE POLE by Rolex is an underwater polar expedition on the Arctic pack ice near the Geographic North Pole, from March 26 to May 10, 2010.

École de Plongée Iceberg

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Data Protection Act of 6 January 1978 : the undersigned is informed that his personal data will be collected and processed electronically by the Club. This data will be stored by the UNDER THE POLE for administrative purposes for a period of 3 years. The undersigned is informed of his right of access, communication and rectification, in case of data proven inaccuracy as well as his right to oppose the processing and / or publication of his data for legitimate reasons. To do so, simply send an email to the following address: contact@underthepole.com

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Data Protection Act of 6 January 1978 : the undersigned is informed that his personal data will be collected and processed electronically by the Club. This data will be stored by the UNDER THE POLE for administrative purposes for a period of 3 years. The undersigned is informed of his right of access, communication and rectification, in case of data proven inaccuracy as well as his right to oppose the processing and / or publication of his data for legitimate reasons. To do so, simply send an email to the following address: contact@underthepole.com

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Data Protection Act of 6 January 1978 : the undersigned is informed that his personal data will be collected and processed electronically by the Club. This data will be stored by the UNDER THE POLE for administrative purposes for a period of 3 years. The undersigned is informed of his right of access, communication and rectification, in case of data proven inaccuracy as well as his right to oppose the processing and / or publication of his data for legitimate reasons. To do so, simply send an email to the following address: contact@underthepole.com

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Data Protection Act of 6 January 1978 : the undersigned is informed that his personal data will be collected and processed electronically by the Club. This data will be stored by the UNDER THE POLE for administrative purposes for a period of 3 years. The undersigned is informed of his right of access, communication and rectification, in case of data proven inaccuracy as well as his right to oppose the processing and / or publication of his data for legitimate reasons. To do so, simply send an email to the following address: contact@underthepole.com