28 July 2017: Inmarsat is supporting a ground-breaking new scientific study which will examine the impact of climate change and other environmental factors on the world’s marine ecosystem.

The 2017-20 Monaco Explorations circumnavigation campaign, which is backed by the Principality of Monaco and personally supported by HSH Prince Albert II, aims to raise awareness of the state of the world’s oceans. International researchers will spend three years conducting environmental studies onboard the 76.6m (251ft) research vessel Yersin, provided by the principality.

The Yersin, the vessel to be used by the scientists during their three-year circumnavigation.

Inmarsat, in partnership with the expedition’s chief communications supporter Space Systems International-Monaco (SSI-Monaco), is providing its high-speed broadband solution, Global Xpress, to give the expedition team seamless connectivity around the world to share data, images and videos with experts.

Stay in touch

The multiple communications systems on board, which also include FleetBroadband, will allow them to transmit data and videos and conduct media broadcasts wherever the expedition reaches. For peace of mind, the Yersin has access to safety services via Inmarsat C, and the researchers can also stay in touch with colleagues, family and friends using two IsatPhone 2 satellite phones.

Andrew Sukawaty, Chairman of Inmarsat, who attended the launch in Monaco on 27 July, said:

“Monaco Explorations is an ambitious project that aims to shed light on some of the many ills blighting our oceans. In order to avoid further environmental damage – and to repair some of that already caused – it is vital to conduct in-depth research, raise public awareness and establish innovative ways of interacting with our oceans.

Left to right: Andrew Sukawaty, Chairman of Inmarsat; Dr. Ilhami Aygun, President & CEO of SSI-Monaco; Captain Jean Dumarais of The Yersin; and Alison Horrocks, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer & Company Secretary of Inmarsat.

“We are proud that our communications solutions have been identified as the most effective and reliable for such a pioneering expedition and we look forward to supporting the project throughout its three-year lifespan.”

Marine viruses

The Yersin will set out from Monaco with the first scheduled stop being in Madeira, Portugal. Research projects to be carried out include studies on environmental DNA, the effects of global warming on marine viruses, and the wealth of biodiversity around submarine mountains.

It is hoped that the expedition will help mobilise local decision-makers, economic stakeholders, NGOs and the wider public and come up with innovative remedies to protect our oceans.