The students of CE2 and CM1 at Keribin school in Ploudalmézeau, along with some parents and their teachers, experienced an extraordinary day on Monday, March 30, 2026, in Brest. They were welcomed aboard the majestic three-masted Norwegian ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl, which was in port from March 27 to 30 for a unique visit.
This iconic sailboat is currently sailing the oceans as part of a worldwide mission dedicated to raising awareness and protecting the seas. “It resonates with the work done by the students,” explained Christelle Nicolas, a CE2 teacher.
“I offered them the opportunity to deepen their discovery,” she added.
This exceptional visit was made possible thanks to the initiative of Lucie Cassarino, one of the scientists on the ship, who happens to live in Ploudalmézeau. With a strong desire to share her passion locally, she said, “I learned that the students had followed the scientists of the Under The Pole mission in December 2025 and January 2026. I then suggested they deepen their discovery by boarding the Statsraad Lehmkuhl.”
Thanks to this local connection, they are the first French students to have had the privilege of boarding the ship as part of its current mission.
“We can all take action,” they wrote in a message placed in a message-filled bottle handed to the captain during the visit. “Small or big, small gestures or big gestures; we can all act, all work to preserve our beautiful planet,” they expressed. In addition, guided by Lucie, they learned about the crew’s daily life and the scientific stakes of the expedition. They also discussed ocean protection, potentially sparking future vocations. “It’s an extraordinary experience, we are really lucky,” the students rejoiced in unison.
