The ecovolunteers
Do you like what you see so far? Why not become a part of it? The Changing Oceans Expedition is eager to get as many people as possible involved in its projects. Anyone is welcome to help us spread the message about the state of the oceans and share the expedition's findings during trade shows and other events. In exchange for their commitment, volunteers can join the crew for a stint aboard. There's always lots of fun, important stuff to do.
I you would like to get involved, click here for more information. To find out more about what it's like helping out, watch the interviews of those already volunteering aboard.
List of ecovolunteers
en navigation Vincent Kneefel
Netherlands, 26 years oldThe past 10 years have brought Vincent Kneefel to more than 50 countries, where has made over 1200 dives. Specialized in underwater photography, he is also a qualified PADI Scuba Instructor and technical rebreather diver. Underwater, he has admired the true beauty of the oceans, yet he also became aware how the oceans are under threat from overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction and ocean acid [...]
en navigation Olivia Martinez
France, 0 years oldOlivia has been working for the past 2 years next to the Red Sea for "Red Sea Diving Safari" as a graphic designer. She joins the Changing Oceans Expedition to work on several graphic projects for brochures and reports. Olivia has spent some time on the seas for navigation or diving safaris. Her knowledge of living on boats, her great sense of humor and big smile make her a great addition to the [...]
en navigation Jacques Mezger
Switzerland, 0 years oldIn 2000 Jacques graduated from the CEPV (Professional Photography School of Vevey, Switzerland). After four years of studies he is awarded with the "First Price" of the CEPV as well as the "Technichrome prize". He spent 4 years in Geneva, Switzerland working for the Photo Studio "Fabrice Piraud Sàrl". During this time he learns using medium (Hasselblad) and large format (Sinar) cameras as well a [...]
en navigation Sylvain Chagué
France, 25 years oldSylvain is born in Paris and is a passionate of cinema since his chilhood. He obtained an engineer diploma from the Ecole des Mines of Saint-Etienne. During his studies, he produced several short movies. He is now a researcher at MIRALab (University of Geneva) working on interactive video applications, and he is also responsible for the making of scientific films. Moreover, he is co-director of Ar [...]
en navigation Caecilia Charbonnier
Switzerland, 30 years oldCaecilia was a professional tennis player (4th in Switzerland, WTA 256 in 1999). Following an injury to her shoulder, she became interested in sports medicine. She obtained a PhD thesis in medical computer science studying the effects of extreme movements of the hip in ballet dancers thanks to motion capture. Caecilia is currently co-directing two companies, one specialized in motion capture, and [...]
Marcos Lopez Marrero
Spain, 0 years oldMarcos is an Electronics Engineer and amateur diver, employed as a researcher at the University of La Laguna (Canary Islands, Spain). He is currently working for the CAFADIS project producing and collecting 3D images using a single lens plenoptic camera prototype. The technology used has applications in astrophysics and microscopy, as well as in the medical field. On board of Fleur de Passio [...]
Daniel Martos Neuman
Spain, 0 years oldDaniel is a 3D, underwater and serial cinematographer. He joins the Changing Oceans Expedition invited by the University of La Laguna (Tenerife, Canary Islands) to test the first prototype of plenoptic single-lens underwater 3D technology ever produced. Daniel is joined by Marcos Lopez to assist him underwater, specifically for the lighting. Due to the large size of the camera rig it has unoffic [...]
Holger Tauer
Germany, 0 years oldHolger was born in Leipzig, Germany where he finishes school in 1996. He completes an apprenticeship in photography and studies film and media in Berlin to become a cinematographer and filmmaker. Holger quickly specialises in Stereo 3D imagery and is currently an expert in stereoscopic filming. His book "Stereo 3D" was published in 2010 and became an important reference in the field. In the pas [...]
Jeff Goodman
United Kingdom, 0 years oldJeff Goodman is an award winning wildlife and underwater TV cameraman and filmmaker. Based in Cornwall England Jeff has travelled the world with companies such as BBC, Discovery and National Geographic. For a few months he is on board The Changing Oceans Expedition to support and help with the documenting of the project above and below water while they are on the Red Sea leg of their journey. For [...]
Hermione Fricker
United Kingdom, 28 years oldHermione is from London and amongst other things is a song-writer, poet and passionate cook. Having worked for environmental organisations in small offices for the last four years she was in search of an adventure and is very excited about volunteering for The Changing Oceans Expedition, as it combines her concern for environmental issues, her keeness to improve her french and her longing for fr [...]
Anne-Kristell Jouan
France, 25 years oldAnne-Kristell is a young scientific journalist who has a particular passion for the blue face of our planet. Her life in Brest made her discover different nautical sports before studying marine biology. Stories of exploration and discovery have nourished her for long and finally led her to Fleur de Passion and her crew. She believes that today has come her turn to try and make others dream by writ [...]
Agnès Dagorn
France, 26 years oldAgnès is from Brittany and has a passion for the seas and oceans and feels at ease above water as much as under water. She studied general natural habitat management and protection before specializing in the marine environment. Agnès currently works on a diploma on environmental and coastal planning and wishes to actively participate in the preservation of marine ecosystems. She is also a profe [...]
Vincent Maillard
Switzerland, 47 years oldVincent currently lives in Geneva, where he is used to work below or inside ships - on land or in the harbor. He does a variety of repairs and maintenance. He had seen Fleur de Passion four years ago when she was still under construction and is very happy to come back aboard Fleur de Passion for several days sailing in a row. Always in a good mood and willing to help, he even manages to prepar [...]
Sophie Boutin
France, 41 years oldSophie came upon The Changing Oceans Expedition while cruising the net like a famished shark. But it's adventure she was hunting for, not mackerel or tuna. Her love of the ocean had too long been restrained, and now her enthusiasm is boundless. Though trained in communications, she'll just as happlily haul on ropes and scrub decks as type up press releases or edit video during our missions. She ex [...]
Pascal Sottas
Switzerland, 61 years oldAs an earnest, talented carpenter, Pascal has already made invaluable contributions to The Changing Oceans Expedition. He is a founding member deeply committed to achieving the expeditions goals, and not only those linked to the sea, but also to improving people's lives, whether of fishing folk on the shores of Tunisia or hardluck teens coming aboard to help out on missions. Pascal is a philanthro [...]
Niels Feldmann
Germany, 39 years oldWhen he's not helping a client to define business policies, Niels is a keen underwater photographer. He travels the world both for business and for his hobby and always tries to bring back shots from the World's most beautiful diving sites. He has helped set up the Foundation since its inception.
Nicole Schwab
Switzerland, 36 years oldAs a biologist and public policy specialist, Nicole has studied and worked all over the world. She helped set up the Antinea Foundation and became its vice-president. A newcomer to sailing, she is becoming more and more of a sea-farer and is learning how to steer a 100-ton boat.
Abdelouahid Kaikai
Morocco, 46 years oldAbdelouahid Kaikai is a member of the AGIR association which was of great help during our mission in Morocco. He was born in Al Hoceima and is a professional sailor. He has a strong connection with the local fishermen and works with them on reducing pressure on marine resources and coordinates numerous projects to diversify the fishermens income.
Houssine Nibani
Morocco, 50 years oldHoussine Nibani is the president of AGIR, an NGO in Al Hoceima, Morocco. 23 years ago he was appointed as teacher of earth and life sciences in Al Hoceima. Seduced by the beauty of the region he is since involved in environmental protection. When time allows outside of his profession and activities with AGIR he observes the osprey in the hope of finding ways to protect their habitat. With his en [...]
Hisham Bouziane
Morocco, 32 years oldHisham Bouziane was born and raised in Al Hoceima where he went to school until the age of 18. He then leaves for Tanger to become an agricultural engineer. He pursues projects on socio economic and environmental development as well as working with an international organization on immigration. He now works in Al Hoceima with the association AGIR in the function of vice president. Hisham is also wo [...]
Ali Rahmani
Morocco, 48 years oldAli Rahmani was born in Rabat. He currently lives in Nador where he works for the INRH (National Institute for Halieutic Research). He is a technician specialized in sampling and comes aboard Fleur de Passion to observe our moroccan mission. Ali is very happy being able to follow the work done on board from a scientific and a diving perspective.
Ilyas El Bouzidi
Morocco, 27 years oldIlyas El Bouzidi lived all his life in Al Hoceima. He knows the surrounding coastline inside out. As certified diver and fisherman he mainly works under water, inspecting and repairing boathulls. It is the first time that he participates in a scientific mission and is happy to broaden his knowledge by following the studies done by the team of "The Changing Oceans Expedition". He loves the ocean, l [...]
Mimoun El Hassouni
Morocco, 30 years oldMimoun El Hassouni was born and raised in Al Hoceima. He is a certified diver but has never set foot on a sailboat. He generally works on trawling ships and other fishing boats and is happy to share the experience on board Fleur de Passion. Mimoun assists the diving team and is of great help with his detailed knowledge of the coastline of which he knows every rock.
Julien Lavril
France, 46 years oldJulien is a carpenter and shipwright. When he heard about "The Changing Oceans Expedition" he spontaneously offered to work on the shipyard in Tunisia for 3 weeks. Julien enjoys constructing, renovating and repairing and does it all with enthusiasm and good mood. More used to shipyards and ships at berth than being at sea, he is delighted to have the opportunity to be on board and discover Fleur [...]
David Firn
British, 48 years oldDavid's journey is quite out of the ordinary. Indeed, he completed studies in biology and became a biologist, but only stayed with this profession a short amount of time. He then left his home of England for Australia. He collaborated with GreenPeace there, notably during an anti-nuclear campaign. On his return to England, David discovered reporting, and became a reporter for several years at the [...]
Ursula Grimaldo Bustamente
French, 27 years oldA french woman of peruvian origin, Ursula now lives in Belgium. Her studies in IT led her to Cargill a little more than a year ago. She became interested in Antinea after a call for volunteers was made. Ursula saw much of herself in the ecovlounteer profile, and thus embarked on Fleur de Passion where she shared with the other crewmembers, among other things, her passion for music!
Maria Semenova
Russian, 32 years oldThis young russian would never have imagined being able to participate in this kind of expedition, so very different from what she is used to. Curious and enthusiastic, she has come to discover the marine world and the scientific missions conducted aboard Fleur de Passion.
Aurore Asso
French, 32 years oldAurore is a young journalist; but to characterize her only as such would be a mistake. Indeed, Aurore is also and before all alse a free diver! She learnt this discipline (or rather this "school of life" as a child. After this 10-year competition with the French national team, she now tries to share her passion. That's why she joined Antinea: free diving enables an innovative approach to marine a [...]
Ivan Sanchenko
Ukraine, 43 years oldIvan, head of Cargill IT for Europe, was stumulated by Antinea's call for volunteers. He shared our objectives and consequently joined Fleur de Passion. His love for the oceans quickly became obvious and he proved it all along his journey on board. Indeed, Water seems to be his natural element.
Mirko Saam
Swiss, 38 years oldMirko is an ecologist. He was particularly compelled to answer Antinea's call for volunteers. He is a member of our communications team, in charge of the press releases in Switzerland. This passionate sailor joined us for a few days to live in the heart of the adventure.
Laurence Suhner
Swiss, 2 years oldA writer and designer, Laurence came accross Antinea whilst doing research for the last tome of her novel, "Quantika". Passionate for the oceans, she joined an adventure which she illustrates day after day.
Ivan Frohberg
France, 37 years oldWhile Ivan is a reporter, it is his skills as a carpenter that made his path cross that of Fleur de Passion's, during its renovation. Today, he has joined the crew as quartermaster for the journey between Corsica and Croatia.
Marie Courbet
France, 39 years oldIt was during a transatlantic voyage that Marie fell in love with the ocean. A project manager in communications and already very attuned to environmental and ecological problmes, she naturally turned to Antinea, where she can ally her skills to her passion for the seas.
Pierre Blanchard
France, 53 years oldPierre is a movie layout designer, painter and has been an underwater filmmaker for more than 30 years. Fascinateded by the maritime world, Pierre shared his solid experience by joining various projects and expeditions, of which the Antinea expedition on board Fleur de Passion.
Nicolas Kupferschmid
Switzerland, 43 years oldNicolas has been concerned about sustainable development for a long time. He wanted to directly contribute to the protection of the environment working as a volunteer for Antinea. He is responsible for the people who wish to become ecovolunteers, and determines where their individual skills could be of the most use. In order to experience the Antinea adventure on the field, he decided to come on b [...]
Adeline Nguyen
France, 29 years oldAdeline is an IT Business Analyst. She heard about the Antinea foundation during a video presentation done by Cargill Geneva for its employees. She would never have guessed that one year later, she would be on board of Fleur de Passion. Though she leaves behind her colleagues and computers, it is with a real pleasure that she is going to live this unique experience of discovery of an unknown envi [...]
Paul Rychen
France, 46 years oldPaul is an engineer at Cargill International. 3 years ago, he discovered the vision and the mission of the Antinea foundation. He was amazed by the beauty of the images and the crucial need to protect the oceans. "Today, I would like to thank both Antinea and Cargill for the privilege of contributing to this noble cause."
Sylvain Gresillon
France, 61 years oldAs Sylvain's job concerns the feeding of wild animal in captivity, he naturally found himself implicated in the conservation of species. He joined the Fleur de Passion crew for a few days on the west coast of Corsica, and provided invaluable logistic support for the dives. A generous person, Sylvain always has an amusing anecdote to share.
Hervé Delamarre
French, 46 years oldHervé is an architect, and has been passionate about navigation for several years. This passion is so intense that he almost oriented his career toujours naval architecture. More recently, he has discovered diving and marine biology alongside the researchers of STARESO. Hervé has volunteered to complete the team on the plankton mission aboard Fleur de Passion.
Millie Lejeune
Belgium, 13 years oldMillie grew up with an education focusing on the environment and the magic of the marine world within STARESO. Daughter to Pierre Lejeune, Millie is always happy to accompany her father on scientific missions at large, where she seconds him with brio. A commited ecovolunteer, Millie is always ready to give a hand aboard Fleur de Passion.
Lucie Volpon
French, 7 years oldLucie is the a "small fish" of the waters of STARESO, and follows Millie like her shadow. With fins, masks and tubas, these two girls discover the innumerable species which populate the Mediterranean. The youngest ecovolunteer aboard Fleur de Passion, Lucie is always scanning the horizon for signs of life.
Maxime Nouet
French, 23 years oldA 3rd-year degree student in an environmental engineering school, Maxime has joined us on the Fleur de Passion. Interested by marine ecosystem mecanisms and its species, he will make his first steps in marine fieldwork.
Anne-Sylvie Steiner
Switzerland, 37 years oldAnne-Sylvie loves sailing. The conservation of the environment is an important concern to her. She discovered Antinea while surfing on the Internet. She is working as a physician, and as such human and scientific challenges motivate her involvement in this expedition.
Samantha Bolton
UK, 40 years oldSamantha has been volunteering with the Antinea Foundation for almost a year on press relations and communication. She spent ten years as spokesperson for Médecins sans Frontières in Africa, the Balkans and the Caucase before moving to Geneva to work on neglected diseases with WHO and others. Communicating to secure marine protected areas and to save endangered turtles and fish makes a refreshing [...]
Chloé Bernard
France, 30 years oldComputer and phone temporarily off, Chloe has momentarily left her marketing campaigns with her colleagues on land and the pixels have been replaced with dolphins. It was while surfing on the net that Chloe discovered the Antinea Foundation project. As a nature lover, it was instant attraction, as for twelve years she had been dreaming of going back to sea since her first experience in Holland. Ch [...]
Patricia Leberre
France, 50 years oldPatricia is a sail master and specializes in assembling and restoring sails for old sail boats. Passionate about the sea and protecting the oceans, she was enthused by the Antinea Foundation for its scientific and socio-educational projects. Coming on board Fleur de Passion offered the ideal opportunity for Patricia to provide hands-on help to the sailing crew, especially to her husband the second [...]
Yvann Pleybert
France, 21 years oldYvann is completing his vocational training in electronics. Having sailed in Brittany, he wanted to discover the Mediterranean. On board Fleur de Passion, Yvann participated in the sailing efforts under the watchful eye of his father, the 2nd in command of the boat.
Noémie Wälti
Switzerland, 21 years oldA student in Geneva, Noémie has cultivated her passion for sailing on Lake Geneva up until now. Noemie was looking for an older sailing boat to complete her final year project and to sail the high seas. She then began volunteering in the office of the Antinea Foundation, which allowed her to spend two weeks on the Fleur de Passion this summer.
Amandine Wyss
Switzerland, 21 years oldA student in Geneva, until now, she sailed on Lake Geneva. Amandine was looking for an older sailing boat to complete her final year project. She then began volunteering in the office of the Antinea Foundation, which allowed her to spend two weeks on the Fleur de Passion this summer.
Michelle Moser
Switzerland, 38 years oldGetting people to get their ideas straight and focus them into action is what Michelle does best, and she's chosen to put that talent in service of the environment. A geographer with a Masters in environmental management, she has worked in many many different countries, with many local communities, to further the cause of conservation and development. Also an independent consultant and teacher, sh [...]
Stephano Balestra
Switzerland, 41 years oldStephano is a banker for which green has other associations than money. The environment is his favourite hunting ground for risky investments, and The Changing Oceans Expedition was irresistible prey. Understated and chatty, he readily swaps his suit and tie for a pair of shorts to come aboard Fleur de Passion and delight the crew with anecdotes and witty observations on everything from whale sigh [...]
Martine Brocard
Switzerland, 31 years oldWith a keen eye for what's what and a penchant for early morning swims, Martine is a journalist who prefers jumping into seawater than to any easy conclusions. As an ecovolonteer on Fleur de Passion, she does interviews and shoots video whenever she isn't swinging in the bow net scanning the sea for whales and dolphins. Her insight has helped The Changing Oceans Expedition make the most of the rec [...]
Lucas Chambers
Switzerland, 32 years oldA man who likes to seize the moment on camera, by microphone or by pen, Lucas is a reporter, oceanographer and scuba diver who took to The Changing Oceans Expedition like an otter to clam chowder. You'll find traces of his renegade imagination and many of his quirky turns of phrase on this website and other windows of this expedition's communications. Lucas has always loved the sea, making his fir [...]
Valérie Maucort
France, 31 years oldValérie is a dancer, which would explain why she's the only sure-footed sailor on deck when Fleur de Passion tackles high seas. But its under the waves she most likes to spend her time these days. Ever since she began scuba diving recently, she's seized any and every opportunity to discover the marine environment up close. As an ecovolunteer for the REPCET project on avoiding collisions with whale [...]
René Loertscher
Switzerland, 68 years oldSetting sail on the oceans was a childhood dream for René. Living on the shores of Lake Geneva, he had only ever used dinghies until his retirement before sailing for the first time at sea onboard Fleur de Passion. As a dentist, he had also worked on humanitarian projects in Africa. René began helping with the renovation of Fleur de Passion in 2006, performing such tasks as sanding, painting and c [...]
Michel Asper
France, 54 years oldMichel wanted to buy a VW bus in the 70's and go live in the Canadian forests. His parents convinced him to take another route and he became an electrician instead, later specialising in electronics. Nevertheless, he did manage to travel the globe, spending 4 years between India and Nepal. He joined the Fleur de Passion renovation team in 2008, in which he designed and installed the entire electri [...]
Pierre-André Bohnet
Switzerland, 46 years oldAn architect from Geneva, Pierre-André has been involved in the renovation of Fleur de Passion from its inception. He appreciated the teamwork required to reach this common goal and enjoys the human adventure that comes with navigating on a traditional sailing boat. Preservation of the marine environment preoccupies him just as much as the preservation of life on land. However, the sea is of more [...]
Christina Pastore
Switzerland, 61 years oldChristina is passionate both about the sea and the mountains. She spent a year sailing along the African coast to Dakar. The oceans are an appeasing element for her which allow her to travel differently. When you arrive in a country by the sea, you get a different welcome.
Alexandre Pellet
Switzerland, 28 years oldBorn on the shores of Lake Geneva, Alexandre grew up sailing the family boat. Just back from a year of sailing in Terra del Fuego, he joined the renovation team in Tunisia as a carpenter helping to complete the interior fittings onboard Fleur de Passion.
Aline Von Siebenthal
France, 39 years oldAline dives and sails, and she will be doing both on the missions aboard Fleur de Passion. But she also has an uncanny ability to handle accounts and administrative issues, something she has done well for a number of different companies. She now brings this handy combination to the Changing Oceans Expedition, and we all sail more smoothly for it.
