October 26, 2013 – Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly, Lorient (France)
PlanetSolar is open to the public at the Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly, Lorient
Moored since September 24 at the Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly in Lorient (Southern Brittany, France), the world's largest solar boat was officially feted at her wintering site in the presence of local authorities today. The unprecedented program that will be available to the public starting in November was also unveiled at the event. Thanks to the partnership with the Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly and the University of Geneva (UNIGE), the public will be able to explore the depths of the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar and learn about the scientific aspects of the Gulf Stream research carried out during the summer 2013 "PlanetSolar DeepWater" expedition.
Having arrived a month earlier and then undergoing some brief maintenance work, the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar was officially feted today at her wintering site—the Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly. In the heart of this unique location (dedicated to cultural, scientific, and technical discoveries), local authorities came out to enthusiastically greet the world's largest solar boat. Thus, for Norbert Métairie, Mayor of Lorient and President of the Lorient Agglomeration, "It is a pleasure to welcome the world's largest solar boat to Lorient. It proves that, one month after the commissioning of our passenger ship with no CO2 emissions, there is a vast field of application for renewable energies in the maritime and transportation industries. With this ship parked opposite to the Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly, we have a terrific showcase for our agglomeration's maritime dynamics and a connection to innovative technologies".
This wintering is a source of joy for PlanetSolar, "We're delighted to have found this wintering ideal solution. We could not have hoped any better location for our boat! Indeed, la Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly allows us to proceed to the maintenance operations and at the same time to have to boat available for the public in order to continue the spread our messages. In addition, this periode allows us to prepare our 2014 campaign that has more and more a passionate look", indicates Pascal Goulpié, CEO and co-fundator of PlanetSolar.
Exploring the depths of this one-of-a-kind boat
Within the framework of a visit to the Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly in Lorient, the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar will be welcoming guests from November 2, 2013 - March 15, 2014. Accompanied by tour guides, the public will thereby be able to explore the inside of the giant solar catamaran every Saturday from 2pm-6pm.* In addition, by means of explanatory panels, visitors will be encouraged to become acquainted with the objectives of the summer 2013 "PlanetSolar DeepWater" scientific expedition, which was conducted along the Gulf Stream and across the North Atlantic by researchers from the University of Geneva.
As was the case during her 2013 stopovers, the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar will continue to serve as an educational platform and to convey her positive message about solar energy. In fact, schoolchildren are also invited to visit the boat every Monday from 1.30pm to 5pm**. The children will be able to compare life onboard a racing sailboat with that of the solar boat. This activity can be supplemented with an educational workshop called "Energy at its source" (cycles 2 and 3).
In order to prepare the ship for her 2014 campaign, onboard maintenance operations will be carried out on the days that she is not open to the public.
*Visiting hours for the public: Saturdays from 2 pm- 6pm (duration is 25 min) -- included in the visit to the Cité de la Voile, within the limit of available places
**Visiting hours for schoolchildren: Mondays from 1:30pm- 5pm (per half-group -- duration is 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the tour selected) -- by reservation only: resascolaire@citevoile-tabarly.com
About PlanetSolar
The MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, built in Kiel, Germany, is a catamaran powered exclusively by solar energy. On May 4, 2012, after sailing for 584 days, the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar completed the first solar-powered trip around the world.
After undergoing major maintenance operations, the ship left La Ciotat for the American coast on April 8, 2013 and began her second life—dedicated to science—as part of the "PlanetSolar DeepWater" scientific expedition. The ambition of this mission was to collect a continuous series of physical and biological measurements, both in the water and in the air, using advanced instruments and the expertise of the UNIGE scientists.
The MS Tûranor PlanetSolar's 2013 crew was comprised of: Gérard d'Aboville (Captain), Brieuc Delbot (Second), Antoine Simon (electrical engineer), Hugo Buratti (seaman and steward), and Vincent Brunet (steward). During the "PlanetSolar DeepWater" expedition, the scientific team from the University of Geneva rounded out the crew.
In order to fund the 2013 campaign, PlanetSolar SA is supported by the University of Geneva, Ciel électricité, Switcher, the Swiss AOC-IGP Association, Younicos, Plantbacter, Actides, GoPro, Jean-René Germanier SA, BCCC Attorneys-at-Law, Tempur, Hempel, Présence Suisse, Energissima, UIM, YELLO, and Waste Free Oceans.
About the Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly
The Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly was a major component in the Lorient submarine base's conversion to a nautical center. On the initiative of the Lorient Agglomeration and the Eric Tabarly Association, its doors were opened in 2008. A place for discussion and discovery, the Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly is an exhibition space dedicated to modern sailing and ocean racing in honor of Éric Tabarly. Through a permanent exhibition featuring numerous experiments, videos, reenactments, and simulators, the visitor plays an active part in his/her experience.
The team was developed in partnership with the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie (a science museum in Paris) and many companies from the sailing sector for their expertise. Beyond its touristic mission, the Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly strives to highlight innovative navigational projects as well as scientific initiatives related to sustainable development, the main challenge for water and oceans. Staunchly focused on the future, the Cité de la Voile organized the Savanturiers of the Sea Festival (March 2013), the Innov'sail international symposium (June 2013), and has been hosting the exhibition "Tara Expeditions, Exploring a New World: the Ocean" in maritime containers since May…
Pictures available under:
http://www.planetsolar.org/press
Login : press
Password : planet2013solar
PlanetSolar SA:
Phone: +41 79 547 42 14 or +41 78 724 48 31
E-mail : press@planetsolar.org
http://www.planetsolar.org
University of Geneva:
Phone: +41 76 401 75 45
E-mail : media@unige.ch
http://www.unige.ch
Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly :
Phone : +33 2 97 65 54 64 ou +33 6 23 17 61 67
E-mail : christelle.morin@citevoile-tabarly.com
http://www.citevoile-tabarly.com/
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