Family Exploring the Deep Ocean: A Life of Adventure and Conservation

Family exploring the deep ocean

Family exploring the deep ocean. Imagine making your debut on the deck of a yacht in the Arctic rather than on land! That’s just part of Tom Bardout’s everyday existence. To document the deep ocean, his parents, Ghislain Bardout and Emmanuelle Périé-Bardout, are ocean explorers who spend months at sea. They have lived on their 18-meter expedition boat, “The Why,” for half of their lives with their kids, Tom, 8, and Robin, 12. The Bardouts have developed a distinctive way of life by combining adventure and family life, transforming their yacht into a floating residence and educational institution. Even though they travel frequently, they stick to a schedule, which keeps their children anchored and informed. “We created the method of operation that we desired.” and live,” says Emmanuelle. For more information visit:

Investigating the Zone of Twilight

Family exploring the deep ocean. Adventure is only one aspect of the Bardouts’ purpose. They investigate the mesophotic zone, also known as the “twilight zone,” which is between 30 and 150 meters below the ocean’s surface. Despite being one of the least researched ecosystems on Earth, this secret realm is alive with life. The family recently traveled to the Mediterranean Sea to pursue “marine animal forests.” These underwater woods, home to innumerable species, are composed of corals and sponges. But just like terrestrial forests, they are vulnerable to damaging fishing methods like bottom trawling and marine heatwaves. Ghislain claims that “a marine animal forest is an oasis of life.” The Bardouts want people to know how important these ecosystems are to marine biodiversity.

Diving Deep: The Perils and Rewards

Documenting the deep ocean isn’t for the faint-hearted. Using advanced rebreather technology, the team conducts dives lasting up to six hours, often to depths of 100 meters. But it’s not without risks. Depression, sickness, physical exhaustion, and other dangers are part of their daily lives.“Since having kids, we’re more cautious,” admits Emmanuelle. Despite the risks, the couple believes the rewards outweigh the dangers. Their work not only contributes to science but also inspires future generations, including their children.

A Future-focused mission

The Bardouts fight to preserve the ocean in addition to exploring it. Their study illuminates the ocean’s hidden treasures and the risks they face, as less than 30% of the bottom has been surveyed and 91% of marine species remain unexplored. They seek to inspire worldwide action and influence legislation by presenting their findings at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in France. Ghislain claims that “humanity is destroying its environment.” “For the benefit of the next generation, we must act now.”The Bardouts’ voyage serves as a potent reminder of our oceans’ fragility and beauty, as well as the pressing need to preserve them.

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