EXPEDITIONS

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UNDER THE POLE

III

2017 - 2021

CHALLENGES

From 2017 to 2021, UNDER THE POLE conducted an extraordinary adventure dedicated to the oceans exploration. For 4 years, a crew of divers and scientists have traveled the world aboard the WHY polar schooner, from the Atlantic, to the Arctic and the Pacific.

UNDER THE POLE III - 2017-2020 expedition has an international scope: 3 years around the world to revolutionize the human presence in the underwater environment, with discoveries about the secret life of the oceans and new technology for underwater exploration. 

The scientific work is devoted to the study of the almost unexplored twilight zone by diving 100 m depth, and to answer two major questions: when endangered in near-surface waters, how the life adapts to pollution, global warming and human activity in deeper zone? Could these deep zones be used as nurseries to repopulate the littoral zones?

UNDER THE POLE III

PRESENTATION

Play

EXPEDITION

STAGES

May 20, 2017
May 20, 2017

Departure

The UNDER THE POLE III expedition sets sail, heading for Greenland. This is the start of a circumnavigation bringing divers and scientists from the Arctic to the Antarctic to explore the twilight zone.
Conveying
Conveying

France • Greenland
July 1, 2017
July 1, 2017

Arrival in Greenland

After crossing the Atlantic, the WHY boat and its crew ascend the West coast of the world's largest island, passing through the villages of Nuuk, Ilulissat and Uummannaq. The crew will stay in the bay for two weeks to get prepared for the North West Passage diving program.
July 2017 • September 2017
July 2017 • September 2017

North West Passage
Biofluorescence and bioluminescence
Biofluorescence and bioluminescence

Under the Arctic light

Biofluorescence and bioluminescence are two scientific disciplines still very little studied in the polar regions. Accompanied by scientist Marcel Koken (French Scientific Research National Center), the crew will dive into the deep zone to detect and understand these phenomena.
September 2017
September 2017

Behring Strait

The WHY and its crew cross the Arctic to the Pacific. They then sail along the islands and coast of Alaska with some escales at Dutch Harbor, the nation's first fishing port, and Kodiak Island. Would they cross any Grizzly bears?
September 2017 • April 2018
September 2017 • April 2018

Wintering in Alaska

The winter months is a good opportunity for the crew to prepare the schooner for the long trip of the Pacific. Sailing and bays exploration diving, fjords and the Sitka region glaciers are awaiting for them.
Conveying
Conveying

Alaska • Polynesia
May 2018
May 2018

Arrival in Polynesia

During 5 months the crew navigated and dived almost daily through the 5 archipelagos of French Polynesia to do researches in mesophotic zone, down to the 150 m depth.
May 2018 - December 2019
May 2018 - December 2019

Polynesia
Mesophotic Coral Systems
Mesophotic Coral Systems

Deep Corals

Difficult to access, the deep coral reefs remain unexplored. Together with the Island Research Center and Environmental Observatory, the DEEPHOPE program in the Pasific helped to better understand it.
The great hammerhead shark & ​​the bulldog Shark
The great hammerhead shark & ​​the bulldog Shark

Super predators

The great hammerhead shark and the bulldog shark die hard: victims of human activities and targets of ecotourism, these animals are threatened to dissapear. Accompanied by Eric Clua, we will dive to meet these misunderstood super-predators.
COVID 19
COVID 19

Antarctica CANCELLATION

The final stage of the UNDER THE POLE III program, initially planned in Antarctica from December 2020 to February 2021, had to be aborted due to the health crisis. 
April 2021
April 2021

Departure from Polynesia

After 4 years of expeditions, the WHY boat returned to Concarneau through the Panama Canal and the West Indies. 
September 2021
September 2021

Arrival in Concarneau

After this exceptional circumnavigation, numerious dives and discoveries, the WHY schooner has returned to its home port in Concarneau. The entire UNDER THE POLE crew now focuses on reviewing the expedition and preparing the next one.

EXPEDITION

SUMMARY

UNDER THE POLE II

PARTNERS

1
MONTHS
1
KM
1
HOURS OF CONTINUOUS IMMERSION
1
CREW MEMBERS

UNDER THE POLE

OTHER EXPEDITIONS

IV

2021 - 2030

II

2014 - 2015

I

2010

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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