Home · Days 1-4: First steps on the Marion Dufresne

Days 1-4: First steps on the Marion Dufresne

September 25th-28th 2025 | La Réunion – Mayotte

Author : Laëtitia

We are the September 24th, it is 5.30pm and we, Floating University’s students, accompanied by our supervisor, we are about to take off from Paris, bound for La Réunion to join the monitoring mission MAYOBS33. Aware of our luck, nobody seems to realise what we are about to board on the Marion Dufresne, the biggest boat of the French Oceanographic Fleet. On the plane, it’s the excitement that takes over; for most of us, it is the first time we take a such long fly. This one lasts 11 hours. The lucky ones (on the porthole side) enjoy the view and watch the sunset and the sunrise. We arrive à Saint-Denis-de-la-Réunion around 7am (local hour), on little sleep but happy. Then, we are being taken to the harbour, between Saint-Denis and Saint-Paul, Marion Dufresne’s place of start.

At first glance, the ship is impressive and a little intimidating for young scientists like us. Eager, we board directly. We are allocated our cabins in pairs and then settle in. At 2pm, we go for the first time at the “PC Science” to take stock about the organisation of the mission. Next, the commander asks us to gather in the conference room for a briefing on safety this time, followed by a drill. We set sail for Mayotte at around 5.20 pm. The evening, we will go to bed early to catch up on our lost sleep, and we will fall asleep lulled by the wings.

During following days, we learn to we adapt at this new environment, which requires certain balance and a good sense of direction. The life onboard this ship is a real discover. We participate at daily scientific meeting, begin the organisation of seminars and begin to think at interesting topics to explore further. It is also the opportunity to exchange with onboard scientists, and meet students from Mayotte and La Réunion; an enriching and intellectually stimulating experience. At last, we would like to take this opportunity to savour meals served on board (because we eat really good), to admire the sea and get on with our activities during evening, in the meantime eagerly to take part to shifts. This period corresponds to the transit between La Réunion and the studies areas offshore Mayotte (The Figure opposite: La Réunion island to the South, Cap d’Ambre of Madagascar to the North. During this journey, teams acquire certain datas: bathymetry with the multibeam echo sounder, magnetic field with the magnetometer (except in the Madagascar’s exclusive economic zone, where any acquisition is possible). The ship’s course is set to complete the bathymetric map of the area by SMF (coloured area).

Students’ testimonies about these first days

“The start of the journey was marked by a great deal of excitement, discoveries and exhaustion, which meant we settled into life on board very quickly. However, with the time, the begin of our work and exchanges with different professionals on board help us settle in calmly and quickly make us feel as though we’ve been here for a week.” Jules

“After the near-constant excitement from take-off to arrival on the Marion, the tension gradually eases over time, though the sense of wonder remains. The warm welcome from everyone on board, whether crew members or the scientific team, makes you feel like an integral part of life on board. A special mention to the cooks, who ensure we never go hungry.” Lucie

“During our incredible journey between Brest and La Réunion, I still couldn’t quite grasp the reality of this adventure! It was only when I arrived, tired but over-excited, on board the Marion Dufresne and the meeting with the scientists that I have finally realised: that’s it, I’m here! The settle on board during this journey was a real challenge! And what say about the landscapes? Breathtaking!” Léa

« I still find it hard to believe what’s happening; it feels like I’m in a waking dream! The Marion Dufresne is really exceptional and magnificent, the scientific team and all the crew are really superb! The sea’s blue is incredible, the sunsets too. At the moment, we’re still getting to know the place; I can’t wait for start my shifts! P.S: the food is delicious!” Melvil

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