MSIG Europe: Two-skill team on a fossil-free IMOCa
Alexandra
Le Havre port operations completed last-stage provisioning for MSIG Europe, including installation checks on solar panels, verification of lithium battery banks, shore power disconnect procedures, and a final ballast and sail inventory ahead of the Transat Café l'Or 2025 start.
Logistics and technical setup for a fuel-free crossing
MSIG Europe represents a low-tech, high-conviction approach: one of the oldest boats in the IMOCa fleet has been prepared to cross the Atlantic relying exclusively on renewable onboard energy. The logistics chain in Le Havre involved coordinated berthing, crane time for rig inspections, and certified electrical checks to ensure the energy autonomy system — solar arrays, charge controllers, and battery management — met safety and performance requirements. The team scheduled staggered provisioning windows to reduce quay congestion and ensure compliance with port safety rules.
Energy architecture overview
| System | Component | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Power generation | Solar panels | Primary source for charging during daylight |
| Storage | Lithium battery bank | Buffer for autopilot, instruments, and emergency systems |
| Consumption | Autopilot, comms, navigation | Managed by power budget and priority switching |
Team composition: combining endurance sport and ocean experience
The pairing of Conrad Colman, a seasoned skipper known for environmental crossing campaigns, and Mathieu Blanchard, an ultra-trailer with limited offshore miles, creates a complementary skill set. From an operations standpoint, the team required role definition during provisioning: watch schedules, sail handling sequences, emergency drills, and a logistics plan for spares and food rations tailored to two-person rotations.
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Division of responsibilities
- Conrad Colman: skipper duties, navigation planning, energy management protocols
- Mathieu Blanchard: sail trim, physical maintenance tasks, lookout and resupply coordination
- Shared tasks: emergency procedures, night watches, sail changes
Rituals, morale, and human factors on a long passage
Human factors play a decisive role when a vessel plans to operate without fossil fuels. The crew documented small routines and talismans that stabilize performance under sleep deprivation and stress: pre-start family meals, brief visualization sessions before watch swaps, and small comfort items such as a wedding ring or a figurine. Nutrition and morale were planned with high-calorie, compact rations and simple treats to offset fatigue during critical maneuvers.
Onboard comfort and stress mitigation
- Planned sleep cycles: 90–120 minute naps with strict wake-up alarms
- Emergency checklists laminated and placed at primary stations
- Entertainment: short, high-energy songs or comfort snacks to break monotony
Operational challenges of fossil-free sailing
Relying on the elements imposes operational constraints that affect routing, weather routing decisions, and safety margins. Without a diesel engine for motoring, MSIG Europe’s crew must accept narrower weather windows and plan stops or drift strategies if headwinds persist. That changes provisioning logic — more attention to fresh water conservation, redundant communications, and a stricter power budget that prioritizes autopilot and communications over auxiliary comforts.
Contingency checklist
| Risk | Mitigation | Logistics implication |
|---|---|---|
| Prolonged calms | Drift strategy; energy saving mode | Extra drinking water, rationed power |
| Battery failure | Manual navigation, emergency comms battery | Spare battery modules and pre-packed repair kit |
| Severe storm | Heavy-weather sail plan, storm drogue | Reinforced inventory for sail repairs |
Why this matters to sailing charters and leisure boating
Although the MSIG Europe campaign is a racing project, its emphasis on renewable propulsion and strict energy budgeting has implications for recreational boating and charters. Owners and charter operators can learn from the redundancy planning, power management strategies, and lightweight provisioning used here. For yacht owners considering sustainable upgrades, lessons include sizing solar arrays, selecting efficient battery chemistry, and revising onboard systems to operate within a constrained power envelope.
Takeaways for charter operators
- Design clear power priorities for guest comfort vs. safety systems
- Implement visible sustainability measures to attract eco-conscious clients
- Train crew in energy awareness and fallback procedures
Background and inspiration
Both Colman and Blanchard cite formative inspirations: images of ocean heroes and exploration that shaped their approach to nature and long-distance travel. These influences translate into a campaign ethos that favors humility, teamwork, and technical simplicity. The choice to race one of the older IMOCa hulls under a fossil-free banner foregrounds adaptation over novelty: retrofitting pragmatic renewable systems can make older boats relevant in an era focused on sustainability.
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Practical checklist for sailors inspired by MSIG Europe
- Audit onboard power use and identify non-essential loads
- Prioritize high-efficiency navigation and communication hardware
- Train all crewmembers in emergency power conservation modes
- Maintain a compact, robust repair kit for electrical and sail systems
The pairing of an experienced offshore skipper with a high-endurance land athlete highlights how diverse skills can be combined effectively on a small crew racing campaign. Pre-start rituals, clear task division, and an explicit contingency plan allow a two-person team to manage the technical and human challenges of a fuel-free transatlantic race.
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Forecast: this particular news is regionally significant in the racing and sustainable-sailing communities but is unlikely to upend global tourism on its own. However, it serves as a useful signal: sustainable practices in racing often filter down to the charter and recreational markets. GetBoat aims to stay abreast of such developments and keep pace with the changing world. If you are planning your next trip to the seaside, consider the convenience and reliability of GetBoat.
Summary: MSIG Europe’s fuel-free Transat Café l'Or campaign illustrates how logistics, simple renewable energy systems, and cross-disciplinary crews can enable ocean crossings without fossil fuels. For recreational sailors, charter operators, and yacht buyers, the campaign offers practical lessons in energy management, contingency planning, and crew dynamics. Whether you are booking a yacht or evaluating a charter, platforms that provide transparent listings, clear specs, and ratings help match preferences and budgets—so you can choose the right boat or yacht for your own sea, ocean, gulf, lake, or beach adventure. GetBoat.com supports these choices by offering a global, user-friendly solution for unforgettable touristic experiences, from yacht charter and boat rent to captain services and sale listings — transparent, convenient, and built for those who value freedom, energy, and finding the vessel that suits their taste and budget.
