Nautical industry Designing the boats of tomorrow
Niche markets with high added-value The nautical industry in Brittany, made up of many complementary sectors, has its foundations in a culture that focuses on the sea and an economic and environmental approach driven by sustainable development objectives. From naval shipbuilding and repair yards to marinas, not to mention apprentice training centres, players in the water sports industry are developing interdependently in a worldwide sector with awareness of the economic situation. Given these challenges, the nautical industry in Brittany provides a 360 offer and has made itself stand out by deploying high-quality services and designing the boats of tomorrow using the very latest technology. With its ability to innovate and adapt, the nautical industry draws on the energy it needs for its renewal, with a constant desire to support all its partners in achieving excellence. The nautical industry dynamic in Brittany INDUSTRIES 5000 jobs 1100 companies Turnover of 500 M IN PRACTICE 581 service providers 847 000 people practising water sports per year Turnover of 111 M 1950 FTE jobs PORTS 192 marinas and moorings 79 000 places Turnover of 40 M 365 FTE jobs Y. Zedda Sources: www.bretagne-info-nautisme.fr / DREAL / Nautisme en Bretagne / CRMA de Bretagne / Bretagne Développement Innovation
Innovation in the nautical offer From initiation to competition, from exhilarating experiences to peaceful sailing, from the sea to the seashore, Brittany has 630 sites to suit all tastes. And as far as innovation is concerned, water sports are not to be outdone: kite surfing, Stand Up Paddle surfing, water walking, coastal rescue school, etc. Technological innovations So the water sports companies in Brittany benefit from a network of partners and subcontractors facilitating synergy and providing innovation at all stages of the industry. Technical innovation The development of the water sports companies in Brittany has led to their expansion or to making their contribution to projects which have completely changed the way water sports are practised today. The giant trimaran, Banque Populaire, the MOD 70s or the 60-foot IMOCA monohulls are all evidence of the Breton nautical industry s state-of-the-art expertise. The water sports industry in Brittany is positioned in niche markets with high added-value, with a rich network of SMEs and emblematic companies (Guy Cotton, Plastimo, Bic Sport, NKE, Structure, etc.) as its symbols. D. Leroux For its dynamism, the Breton industry relies on solid competencies in Research and Development combined with a fabric of innovative SMEs and very small companies, which are building the boats of tomorrow either for yachting or ocean racing. Among the latest innovations to come from the yards in Brittany are electrically propelled ships (the Costo from the E3H shipyard in Lorient), innovative lamination techniques with infusion and injection (IDB Marine) or competition prototypes (Multiplast and CDK for the MOD 70s). Finding the best skills In Brittany laboratories, schools, universities and training centres work with fibre, simulate navigation in 3D, model sea states and develop new propulsion systems. From the BEP (secondary school vocational qualification) to universities, here there is complete training in all the water sports professions. Training for the water sports professions, both initial training and in-service training, enables the companies established in Brittany to take advantage of the best human resources in the field of future boat design, particularly in the field of materials and onboard electronics.
Pôle mer bretagne The objective of Pôle Mer Bretagne is to contribute to the emergence of a safe, sustainable maritime world. The Pôle is the nucleus of a network where large groups, SMEs, and research and higher education centres combine ideas and skills to develop innovative collaborative projects in the maritime industry. D. Leroux Water sports strategy in Brittany Brittany s vision for the nautical industry is to increase the conditions for the success of companies: Supporting them by professionalising the industry in terms of human resources, increasing their competitiveness by optimising their production tools and by assistance with the integration of sustainable development. Making available an internet tool designed to increase their visibility and facilitate access to information: www.bretagne-info-nautisme.fr Improving leadership in Brittany in the high-tech field by a management programme devoted to innovation and the technology industry for ocean racing. This programme is run by Eurolarge Innovation. Making available specific financial tools for tangible and intangible investment. Ocean racing technology Environment, sustainable development The dynamic nature of the Breton ecosystem facilitates integration of sustainable development such as boat design, the use of eco-materials and waste treatment. Two Pôle Mer labelled projects are evidence of this: Voilier du Futur sponsored by Ephèse and Beyond the Sea by Océa, which offer eco-innovative solutions in the fields of materials, energy, safety, etc. for the invention of tomorrow s vessels for leisure use and also fishing, the merchant navy, etc. Ocean racing has always been a combination of human adventure and technological challenges. From the design of the boats to the conduct of the races, the spread of technologies employed is impressive: composite materials, onboard electronics, precision mechanics, etc. This race for performance, a real source of innovation, also benefits companies directly well beyond the scope of ocean racing. In fact it is not unusual to find technological developments, originally for ocean racing, in the markets for water sports for the general public and also in markets for building, home automation, aeronautics or armaments.
Hervé Devaux, founder of HDS* Sailors, designers, and shipyards, we are all a team to which HDS brings its expertise. HDS has taken part in the design of the most prestigious ocean racing yachts, Groupama 3 and 4, BMW Oracle Racing, Banque Populaire, the Hydroptère, Foncia (IMOCA), Race For Water (MOD 70), etc. The great racing stables throughout the world are knocking at the door of Hervé Devaux and his team to conceptualise and design the future Formula 1 of the seas. Brittany has a special place in water sports, especially ocean racing. What are the reasons for such dynamism? Hervé Devaux: Brittany is a land that has traditionally always focussed on the sea. Today the reason for its wide recognition in the field of ocean racing is because of great sailors like Eric Tabarly, Olivier de Kersauson, and Michel Desjoyaux, and also because of the innovative shipyards like CDK in Port-la-Forêt and Multiplast in Vannes. Brittany plays a role as a forerunner in the design of racing multihulls. There is always a slightly mad project at the origin of these great productions. This is probably why Port-La-Forêt Bay is known as the Vallée des Fous (Madman s Valley) amongst yachtsmen! What do you think the boats of tomorrow will look like? H.D.: The first important thing is that a boat is conceptualised and designed as a team. For short ocean races, it is already foreseen that the boats will be equipped with a wing, the image of the wing on the America s Cup winner, USA 17, for which HDS took a part in the design of the hull and the rigging. As another example, if you look at the Hydroptère project, the origins of which go back nearly 20 years and which still holds the speed record over a mile, it is possible to visualise the design of a new, more versatile Hydroptère. This concept of flying on the sea has seen huge developments and benefitted from the overlapping of two technologies: aerodynamics (for the foils) and naval construction. As far as water sports and high technology are concerned, is it necessary to be daring? H.D.: Yes, you have to go beyond preconceived ideas. And to achieve the aims, team work and responsiveness are essential. Proof of this is the USA 17 project. The idea of fitting it with a wing came in February 2009 and we then produced an initial study in two months. The final decision was taken at the beginning of April. The yacht, fitted with its wing, sailed on the 7 th of November 2009. A project involves innovation, responsiveness and enthusiasm. *Company from Brest of international renown specialising in the design of ocean racing yachts, calculations and study of structures.
Brittany, the leading region for ocean racing In the extremely competitive field of ocean racing, Brittany is a reference on an international level. It draws its riches from its generous natural assets and its people with strong characters, who fiercely defend the emblems of their region. Brittany has racing areas of exceptional quality and is a region with a predilection for the great regattas (the Route du Rhum, the Volvo Ocean Race, the single-handed Figaro, the Jules Verne Trophy, the Transat AG2R, etc.). It is also the home port for the largest stables : Groupama Sailing Team, Maxi Banque Populaire V and Prince de Bretagne in Lorient, Géronimo in Brest, Gitana Team in La Trinité, and so on. The most experienced sailors (Franck Cammas, Michel Desjoyeaux, Armel Le Cléac h, Jean Le Cam, etc.) who contribute to Brittany s fame and arouse a desire in new generations to follow in their footsteps. Alexis Courcoux A breeding ground in terms of detecting and training young talent. From their initiation to taking part in competitions, the future ambassadors of Brittany benefit from the best training organisations: Pôle France
Y. Zedda Voile Olympique in Brest (training of France de Voile teams for the Olympic Games), Ecole nationale de voile et des sports nautique in Quiberon (training for ocean racing in one design class boat teams) and the Pôle France Finistère Course au Large in Port-la-Forêt. Pôle Finistère Course au Large. Objective: excellence Breton shipyards are typified by a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a constant search for performance using technological innovations. Racing prototypes, design of new materials, electronic equipment and state-of-the-art deadworks, revolutionary riggings, so many fields of application for which Brittany has gathered its resources to create a support and management structure for the ocean racing technology business: Eurolarge Innovation. By bringing together companies (nearly 110 in total with a turnover of 265 million Euros per year and 1500 jobs) in collaborative projects, this structure provides the business with national and international visibility. www.eurolarge.com This Pôle France, approved by the Sports Ministry since 1995, is a unique tool in Europe with the task of training and monitoring high level sportsmen and women in the field of ocean racing. The sailors, who are chosen on sports and professional criteria, have effective infrastructures. Training takes place on Figaro Bénéteau II, the IMOCA monohull or the MOD 70. At the same time this centre of excellence joins forces with many experienced sailors (Franck Cammas, Roland Jourdain, Michel Desjoyeaux, Armel Le Cléac h, etc.) and therefore has the advantage of formidable feedback from experience.
Bretagne Développement Innovation 1bis, route de Fougères 35510 Cesson-Sévigné - France T. +33 (0)2 99 84 53 00 www.invest-in-bretagne.org contact@invest-in-bretagne.org D. Leroux avec le soutien de Design: www.pollenstudio.fr Cover photo: Y. Zedda - PEFC paper