Saint-Malo, France
On June 14, Energy Observer completed its round-the-world voyage after 7 years and 68,000 nautical miles. Having set sail from Saint-Malo in 2017, the boat returned to its home port surrounded by all those who took part in this human and technological adventure, and a crowd of locals gathered on the quayside.
Coming from: Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon
Weather conditions: Sunny
Time of arrival: 3:30 PM
On board that morning, all the crew members who had taken part in the Energy Observer Odyssey had been invited to embark a few miles before arriving in Saint-Malo. Engineers, boscoes, sailors, photographers and journalists have all been on board over the course of the 7 years. Hugo Devedeux, suffering from seasickness, had not set foot on a boat for 4 years after his experience with Energy Observer. Roland Reynaud, an engineer, accompanied the boat from its beginnings to Spitsbergen, before handing over to his son Vincent, also an engineer. Amélie Conty and Antoine Drancey from Saint Malo, who produced the images and reports during the first years of the round-the-world trip, were also present. With around twenty people on board, and under capricious skies, the boat sailed into Saint-Malo Bay.
“I'm feeling a lot of emotion and a lot of pride. It's a technological and human feat, because it's been quite an adventure, and I'm proud of my whole team. I've been surrounded by a team that has grown and become experts in our field, and then by all our partners. It's a real collective of committed partners who have enabled us to achieve magnificent things.”
![The squadron accompanying the return of Energy Observer]()
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The squadron accompanying the return of Energy Observer
![The Ocean fifty Solidaire en Peloton alongside Energy Observer]()
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The Ocean fifty Solidaire en Peloton alongside Energy Observer
![Energy Observer surrounded by friend boats]()
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Energy Observer surrounded by friend boats
![A windfoil greets Energy Observer]()
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A windfoil greets Energy Observer
![The Energy Observer crew in front of L'Etoile du Roy]()
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The Energy Observer crew in front of L'Etoile du Roy
The arrival of the boat at the foot of the Grand Jardin lighthouse was a sight to behold. While the privateer frigate Etoile du Roy, with all the Energy Observer partners on board, sounded its cannon and foghorn, skipper Thibault Vauchel raced past the boat with his impressive Ocean fifty Solidaire en Peloton. Accompanying boats included the "Corsaire Émeraude" shuttle with staff and families, the SNSM's Pourquoi Pas? III and the Gendarmerie Maritime's Trieux. They all braved the squalls to greet the Energy Observer on its return, before the sun came out again as it passed through the lock.
“We were worried about the weather, but in the end we arrived in sunshine. There was the Etoile du Roy with our partners, the Corsaire launch with our families and former colleagues who have been with us for 7 years, and then our friends, Thibaut Vauchel with his mirage of the seas. 68 thousand times thank you”
![Victorien Erussard greets the crowd welcoming Energy Observer]()
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Victorien Erussard greets the crowd welcoming Energy Observer
![Energy Observer passes the lock under the gaze of the crowd]()
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Energy Observer passes the lock under the gaze of the crowd
Rediscover the live of the arrival hosted by Serge Herbin, famous voice of the Route du Rhum. During this live broadcast, Victorien Erussard and all the crew members shared their anecdotes about the round-the-world trip, and revealed the boat's most secret places and onboard technologies.
A conference at the Palais du Grand Large followed the finish, during which Victorien Erussard revealed his plans for the future. Above, Energy Observer crew members greeted on stage.
![The Energy Observer exhibition village remained open to the public from June 14 to 23.]()
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The Energy Observer exhibition village remained open to the public from June 14 to 23.
![The public welcomes the boat in front of the village]()
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The public welcomes the boat in front of the village
In the news!
Many medias have followed the return: France Inter (interview de 5mn), AFP, Le Parisien, Le Monde de l'Energie, H2Today, France 24, 20 minutes, France 3 région Bretagne, reportage sur LCI, Ouest France, Good Planet, l'Usine Nouvelle, Arte Journal, France bleue, Le Marin, Voiles et Voiliers...
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