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We compete on the highest level in the toughest races, inspire action & create awareness and highlight solutions to the climate crisis.

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The sailing research vessels Malizia Explorer and Under The Pole are teaming up for an expedition to Antarctica. The mission brings together an international crew, including Under The Pole co-founders Emmanuelle and Ghislain Bardout, scientists Lorenzo Bramanti and Léa Olivier, and climate activists Luisa Neubauer and Camille Étienne, to the Western Antarctic Peninsula to conduct oceanographic research, and study mesophotic ecosystems (30-200m) through deep diving as part of the DEEPLIFE scientific programme, while enhancing the mission’s impact on conservation and public policy.

In the Western Antarctic Peninsula, two scientific sailing vessels have joined forces to study one of the regions experiencing the fastest environmental changes on the planet. 

, has been carrying out the DEEPLIFE programme since early December, and 

has now arrived to begin a joint expedition. After departing Ushuaia and navigating the infamous Drake Passage, the two crews reunited on 11 January 2026 and have started their collaborative work in the region.

Onboard the two vessels is a diverse international team of 20 sailors, divers, scientists, climate advocates, journalists, and influential voices, including environmental activists 

(France) from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (

(AWI). Together, they form a collective dedicated to making the often-invisible impacts of climate change in Antarctica visible to the global public while conducting various scientific research.

 and providing logistical and operational support to the Under The Pole team, enabling 

 and scientific research throughout their three-month summer campaign. While Under The Pole’s crew has been diving since December along the west side of the peninsula, down to Adelaide Island, 

 will undertake two consecutive one-month missions, with a second voyage scheduled for early February 2026.

The scientific objectives of the expedition

, a global initiative, led by Under The Pole, dedicated to studying and documenting 

(MAFs) across the world’s Ocean basins, from polar to tropical regions, and from shallow waters (0–30 m) to mesophotic depths (30–200 m). Recognised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as vulnerable marine habitats, Marine Animal Forests (MAFs) are complex ecosystems formed by animals such as corals, gorgonians, and sponges. Much like terrestrial forests, they play an essential ecological role and could serve as refuges for marine biodiversity in the face of increasing human pressure and climate change. 

These habitats thrive mainly in the mesophotic zone, an environment that remains largely unknown and unexplored. Yet, it is increasingly threatened by fishing activities, particularly krill fishing in Antarctica, and the impacts of climate change. DEEPLIFE, endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and led scientifically by CNRS, aims to advance the conservation of deep marine ecosystems, too often overlooked. 

, DEEPLIFE’s scientific co-director and experienced deep diver, is on board the 

 throughout the three-month expedition to ensure the successful implementation of scientific protocols.

 post-doctoral researcher in Oceanography at AWI, will focus on linking physical Ocean structure, biological activity and carbon fluxes across coastal-to-open-ocean gradients. These studies aim to close key data gaps and improve understanding of Ocean-climate interactions in the Western Antarctic Peninsula. With its two consecutive voyages, 

 will rotate crew and host additional scientists for other research, while also providing the equipment and logistical support that enables 

 to remain in the region and carry out deep diving operations over three months.

The advocacy objectives of the expedition

gathering of all these people in Antarctica over January, which was named "

 also carries a strong advocacy and awareness mission: a dedicated campaign will be launched to highlight the importance of protecting Antarctic marine and particularly mesophotic ecosystems, with the support of influencers and public figures on board, amplifying the message to global audiences. 

Guided by the belief that we only protect what we know and love, the team is also leading global outreach initiatives, connecting with schools and adult audiences worldwide through live communications, storytelling, calls-to-action, and educational events.

’s previous Antarctic research and outreach efforts, conducted in November in collaboration with the Alfred Wegener Institute, the German Environment Agency, and ThINK Jena. That earlier mission delivered the first detailed field study of the 

, a small yet ecologically significant island group, providing critical data to improve global climate models and inform political decision-making. Beyond data collection, the project aimed to bridge science and policy by translating research insights into concrete conservation strategies.

By partnering together on this new expedition, 

and Under The Pole are contributing to help advance understanding of fragile polar ecosystems while amplifying the urgency of their protection to audiences worldwide. As the Antarctic summer unfolds, the teams will continue to combine science, storytelling, and outreach to inspire global action for Ocean conservation.

Follow the Global Warning 2026 expedition:

Updates from the Global Warning 2026 mission will be shared throughout the Antarctic campaign via Malizia Explorer’s channels, as well as those of Under The Pole and the expedition participants.

Malizia Explorer in the Drake Passage last week, on her way to Antartica

The first CTD measurements from onboard Malizia Explorer were already conducted on the way to Antartica, at the Polar Front

Scientific diving in Antarctica within the DEEPLIFE programme

Under The Pole's WHY in Antarctica

Impressions from the Western Antarctic Peninsula

is Team Malizia’s sailing research vessel, dedicated to advancing oceanographic science in remote ocean regions while also sharing the stories of our changing ocean with a global audience. The initiative is supported by key partner Reederei F. Laeisz, a German shipping company with extensive experience operating research vessels and partnering to advance the vessel’s scientific mission. The project collaborates with leading scientific institutions and coordinating organisations, including GEOMAR, the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), Hereon, SOOP (Shaping an Ocean Of Possibilities), OceanOPS (IOC/UNESCO & WMO), the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), and the Prince Albert II Foundation. Together, these partners contribute to specific missions, equip the vessel with scientific instruments, and support the processing, management, and interpretation of collected data. Technical supplier partners include Gleistein, Peter Frisch GmbH – Musto, B&G, SEA.AI, and FLIN.

Under The Pole is an organisation founded in 2008 by Emmanuelle and Ghislain Bardout, dedicated to the understanding and preservation of the oceans. Its work is structured around scientific diving expeditions across the globe, awareness and education initiatives for schools and the general public, and advocacy efforts within institutional and policy-making spheres. Our vision: Underwater exploration — a prodigious source of inspiration and an essential tool for advancing ocean knowledge — is a powerful driver for their protection. 

Labelized by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the current research program of Under The Pole, DEEPLIFE, is focused on the Marine Animal Forests (MAFS) of the Mesophotic zone (from 30 to 200 m deep) of our oceans. This program is led in collaboration with the CNRS, and an international consortium of 24 research institutions.

Educational events with expedition participants:

The sailing research vessels Under The Pole and Malizia Explorer are teaming up for an expedition to Antarctica. The mission brings together an international crew, including Under The Pole co-founders Emmanuelle and Ghislain Bardout, scientists Lorenzo Bramanti and Léa Olivier, and climate activists Luisa Neubauer and Camille Étienne, to the Western Antarctic Peninsula to conduct oceanographic research, and study mesophotic ecosystems (30-200m) through deep diving as part of the DEEPLIFE scientific programme, while enhancing the mission’s impact on conservation and public policy.