From fashion to plankton

Interview with Etienne Bourgois in London by the onboard correspondant.
Tara is moored at St Katharine Docks, ready to welcome visitors. Etienne Bourgois, president of Tara Expeditions and CEO of agnès b. was aboard for two days. I take this opportunity to ask him some questions.

Laëtitia Maltese: Why is this stopover in London important to Tara Expeditions?
Etienne Bourgois: Tara’s expeditions involve laboratory scientists in many countries.
And passersby recognize the aluminum hull of the former Seamaster, name given to the ship when Sir Peter Blake was the owner.  It’s very important to maintain the link with the boat’s history. His wife Pippa and his son James Blake spent some time on board when we first arrived.  Bringing Tara to London is a way to show the English that Peter Blake's story continues in accordance with what had already been undertaken.

This visit is also an opportunity to meet people like Koji Sekimuzu, Secretary General of the IMO (International Maritime Organization) headquartered in London. Discussions quickly became technical. The IMO is very interested in the plankton studies carried out by Tara. These could, among other things, be useful in the ongoing discussions on the regulations of ballast water discharges which result in the involuntary transport of species from one oceanic zone to another.

L.M. : How are Tara's expeditions perceived by the scientific community?
É.B.: Probably at the beginning Tara was seen primarily as a communications tool. By participating in programs like DAMOCLES during the Tara Arctic expedition, and with the work on plankton, the schooner has made a name for herself. We already know that Tara Oceans has discovered hundreds of new species of planktonic organisms. Oceanographic research aboard a private sailboat may seem surprising, but it facilitates work covering large geographic areas, over several consecutive months. The human aspect is essential: sailors and scientists share their knowledge, participating in and adapting to each other's work. This gives a special impetus to the expeditions.

L.M. : Did you ever imagine that Tara expeditions would go so far?
É.B. : To be honest –  not really!
I wanted to use this boat for projects that make sense. I knew its history and the former crew of Antarctica. It was natural that Tara's actions turned to science. Then there were certain encounters that played the role of catalyst. The wager is sometimes risky but that's part of the adventure.
The heroes of the boat are the scientists and highly motivated teams taking turns onboard. These men and women study, analyze, and seek to understand, often with great humility, how our environment functions based on field data.
Today there's great satisfaction and fulfillment to see so much enthusiasm about the projects carried out by Tara.

L.M. : Is there news about the upcoming Arctic expedition?
É.B. : We are currently raising funds for a planned departure in May 2013. Time will pass quickly, but we are optimistic.

I leave Etienne, who must answer other questions on board, then leave for Paris and agnes b, – a unique character who moves from the fashion world to that of scientific expeditions with ease, determination and commitment.

Laëtitia Maltese