Table of Contents
Usually based in Paimpol (22), Kamak is spending part of the autumn and winter in Concarneau this year. On the program: “A revision of the standing rigging of the main mast and the mainsail, as well as mechanical work and a change of generator,” explains Alexis Blanc, the captain of this sailboat, a former member of the sailing team. Under the pole.
The project, with a tight schedule, is being carried out by the crew, also made up of Robin Exertier and Mika Salou, and by companies in the sector. Departure is planned for February 2025. Heading towards the Far North and the seas he has been sailing since 2017.
Spacious, robust, well insulated… The Kamak can accommodate up to fourteen people, crew included. (Le Télégramme/Olivier Desveaux)
In the wake of Damien
The Kamak (Friend, in Inuit language) is an impressive sailboat with its two masts and its 24.80 m length. Built in 1987, it had several names and several lives, before its polar adventures. “It was built for a rich American who wanted to sail in Alaska,” says Jean Bouchet, the originator of this beautiful story. A yacht designed for the open sea but also very comfortable, with astonishing marble bathrooms. Ultimately, it will never sail in cold seas, until this mountain guide acquires it.
The meeting between Kamak and Jean Bouchet was above all a dream. Haut-Savoyard had been nurturing polar exploration projects since he heard of the adventure of two young people from Grenoble, Gérard Janichon and Jérôme Poncet who, between 1969 and 1973, undertook a world tour on a wooden boat. ‘about ten meters, the Damien.
“Jérôme Poncet taught me everything”
“For ten years, I traveled in nomadic mode,” continues Jean Bouchet. In 2012, during an expedition off the coast of Antarctica, I met Jérôme Poncet, who lived as a hermit on a desert island, southwest of the Falklands. From there a great friendship will be born. “He taught me everything,” confides Jean. And when he turned 70, I said to myself that I had to perpetuate the story.”
The mountaineer then launches crowdfunding to acquire a boat. He needs a sailboat, with a steel hull 6 to 8 mm thick, a fairly shallow draft, a panoramic wheelhouse, and fairly large reserves of water and diesel. The ketch fits perfectly with the specifications.
Three expeditions
Still, “it’s quite heavy to manage,” recognizes Jean Bouchet. It must therefore develop a commercial travel activity. “But always with the idea of exploration, in the spirit of Jérôme.”
In addition to the crew, it can take on board around ten passengers. The season takes place in three stages: a ski touring expedition in Norway. Then another, further north, in Spitsbergen, combining hiking and animal observation. And finally, an expedition with scientiststowards Greenland.
Jean Bouchet accepts this: “We always have an impact on the environment. But we try to be respectful, to limit it as much as possible.” And to denounce, on the other hand, “these large cruise ships which, in the Far North, are ecologically catastrophic”. He also expresses a regret: that of selection by money. “I’m looking for solutions to share this with as many people as possible,” he said. If anyone has an idea…
And above all, Jean Bouchet does not let go of his dream: that of being able to return to the Deep South and one day lead Jérôme Poncet to Antarctica.
Practical
**How has Kamak’s design, originally intended for luxury cruising, been adapted to meet the specific demands and challenges of Arctic exploration?**
## World Today News Exclusive Interview: Sailing into the Far North with Kamak
**Welcome to World Today News! We’re excited to host this exclusive interview with Jean Bouchet, the captain of the magnificent sailboat Kamak, and Alexis Blanc, first mate, as they prepare for their next Arctic adventure.**
**Section 1: A Legacy of Exploration**
* **Jean, your journey with the Kamak is deeply intertwined with the legacy of Gérard Janichon and Jérôme Poncet. How has their pioneering spirit influenced your own approach to polar exploration?**
* **Alexis, joining a project like Kamak must be thrilling. What drew you to this unique opportunity and what aspects of Jean’s vision resonated most with you?**
**Section 2: The Kamak: More Than Just a Sailboat**
* **Jean, Kamak’s history is fascinating – from its origins with a wealthy American to its transformation into a vessel for polar exploration. What qualities of the boat make it uniquely suited to the challenges of sailing in the Arctic?**
* **Alexis, the article mentions several upgrades being carried out on Kamak currently. Can you elaborate on these renovations and how they will contribute to the safety and efficiency of future expeditions?**
**Section 3: Balancing Exploration and Responsibility**
* **Jean, you mentioned the challenge of minimizing Kamak’s environmental impact in such a sensitive region. What practices do you implement to ensure responsible exploration, and how do you address the impact of larger cruise ships in the Far North?**
* **Alexis, managing a crew and passengers while navigating remote and often treacherous waters requires careful planning and a strong sense of teamwork. What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned from your time aboard Kamak?**
* **Jean, you expressed a desire to make polar exploration accessible to a wider audience. What solutions are you exploring to make expeditions like yours more inclusive?**
**Section 4: Dreams of the Deep South**
* **Jean, your dream of returning to Antarctica with Jérôme Poncet is incredibly moving. What makes this part of the world so special to you both, and what hopes do you have for this future expedition?**
* **Alexis, looking ahead, what are your personal aspirations for your time aboard Kamak? What do you aim to achieve and contribute to Jean’s vision?**
**Closing**
We want to thank Jean Bouchet and Alexis Blanc for sharing their stories and insights with us today. The Kamak and its crew represent the spirit of exploration, resilience, and a deep respect for the natural world. We wish them fair winds and following seas on their upcoming adventures.
**For those interested in learning more about the Kamak and its expeditions, please visit [website address here].**
