Our citizen science initiative Regenerative Tides: Sailing for Solutions joins UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development program. Plus more news from the boat yard and a new book alert!
Hi folks,
March has been welcomed with a huge buzz of activity at FSL, with the boat build springing forward. As we showcase in the latest Boat Build Series video, Marc joined us at the beginning of the month for his professional wooden boat building school’s week of work placement, drawing the lines of our Narai Mk IV catamaran’s backbones and cutting out the ply pieces.
With the help of our regular, locally-based volunteers Pascal M and Simone, our wood drying cabin came to life whilst I took on the task of scarfing all our movingui hardwood stringers on both ends ready to dry in the chamber as soon as the dehumidifier arrives this week. The guys built the plywood drying racks and so as soon as the drying chamber is in action in a few days, the plywood will be ready to epoxy when Pascal P visits the last week of March, with the timber expected to take a few more weeks.
This weekend, Remy picked up where Marc left off scarfing the starboard hull’s backbone joins. You can track real-time progress in our WhatsApp community by becoming a member of FSL: https://www.floatingstorieslab.org/support
The next video will share all of these updates and more!
Pascal M and Simone in the volunteer’s cage uh hum I mean plywood drying racks they whipped up this week. Great job guys!
Remy’s neck is on the mend since breaking his C5 vertebrae back in June last year. Nothing like some hand planing to strengthen the muscles!
You can now track our monthly progress on our job list spreadsheet HERE.
Regenerative Tides Endorsed by the United Nations Ocean Decade
We are STOKED to share an important milestone for our work at Floating Stories Lab (indeed, Remy and I shared a celebratory bottle of champagne when we received the news ourselves!):
Learn more about the UN Ocean Decade here: https://oceandecade.org
Our citizen science initiative Regenerative Tides: Sailing for Solutions (ReTISS) has been officially endorsed as a Decade Action of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).
The endorsement was granted by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO following an international review process, with this important recognition placing our project within a global network of scientists, communities, and institutions working toward the Ocean Decade vision:
“The science we need for the ocean we want.”
What the Ocean Decade Is
The UN Decade of Ocean Science is a worldwide initiative bringing together researchers, governments, NGOs, and citizens to accelerate ocean knowledge and solutions for sustainable development.
By endorsing projects around the world, the Ocean Decade aims to strengthen collaboration between science, society, and policy so that ocean science can better support environmental protection and climate resilience.
We are honored that Regenerative Tides has been recognised as contributing to this global effort.
Students from Collège du Bois de Locquéran participating in ReTISS field work. Learn more about the incredible work by the students, here: https://www.floatingstorieslab.org/all-posts/microplastic-and-fiberglass-pollution-research-in-gill-samples-of-oysters-and-mussels-in-the-goyen-river-estuary-brittany-france
About the Regenerative Tides Project
Regenerative Tides addresses an overlooked but growing environmental problem: abandoned fiberglass boats and their release of micro-fiberglass particles into coastal ecosystems.
Through a citizen science approach, the project brings together:
coastal community members
artists and storytellers
students and educators
boatbuilders and sailors
marine scientists
Participants collaborate to:
map abandoned boats along the coastline
collect environmental observations and samples
document local knowledge and lived experiences
share findings through open data and storytelling
By combining community observation, scientific guidance, and creative communication, the project aims to generate knowledge that can inform future solutions and marine policy discussions.
Artists from our Citizen Science Creative Residency, Marjolaine and Felipe, participate in Bad Boat Mapping during a field work session in Bretagne.
Part of the Global Estuaries Monitoring Programme
As part of the endorsement, Regenerative Tides will contribute to the Global Estuaries Monitoring (GEM) Programme, an international initiative focused on improving understanding of estuarine ecosystems.
This connection will allow our citizen science work in Brittany to contribute to broader conversations about coastal monitoring and environmental stewardship.
FSL Citizen Science now has it’s own YouTube channel and Instagram handle — do go over and follow/subscribe/share!
Pre-order ‘The Northern Voyage’ by Maya Rovegno of Sailing Magic Carpet
I had the absolute privilege of reading an advanced copy of Maya Rovegno’s spectacular sailing adventure book, ‘The Northern Voyage, to review for the print version, which is now available for pre-order.
Maya and her husband Aladino produce weekly videos for their successful sailing series Sailing Magic Carpet, as they adventure around the world. I also recently had the pleasure of welcoming Maya for a rare interview on the Fire Pit Talks Podcast, and am delighted to recommend her outstanding book with you all.
Finally, as I wrap this blog post on a chilly Sunday morning (where did Spring go?!), I want to share that we have selected the FIVE participants for our first ever Boat Build Residency that will take place here in Bretagne in May. We were humbled by all the applications and feel positive we will host more of these residencies over the course of the boat build.
If you aren’t able to commit to attending a residency, but have an interest in Wharram catamarans or our work at Floating Stories Lab, you might consider visiting in July, for the Wharram Hui in Audierne, a local ocean festival, and the famous Douranenez maritime festival. Boat registrations are still open (we have over 10 Wharrams joining the event so far!), and those without boats wanting to attend are encouraged to book in to the local campgrounds or other accommodation as soon as possible.
Learn more here: https://www.floatingstorieslab.org/wharram-hui-audierne-2026
That’s all from me this week, thank you — no really, THANK YOU — for being here and supporting all things FSL.
— Angie
President and Co-Founder, the Floating Stories Lab Association
