Sailing With Purpose: Mike Horn’s Quest to Future-Proof the Planet

Navigator talks to the intrepid explorer Mike Horn on his environmental youth innovator incubation program, Pangaea X

As modern-day explorers go, there are few as passionate as Mike Horn. Explorers will always find ways to go beyond what went before and break new ground, and no one endeavors to discover more about our planet than Horn. For 35 years, he has pushed the limits of human fortitude through a series of epic adventures. This South African native has swum the length of the Amazon River, circumnavigated the globe under human power alone, and walked to the North Pole in the depths of the Arctic winter. During his many adventures, he has witnessed some remarkable sights, but it is the rapid environmental changes that have been the most spectacular, and soul destroying. “After witnessing the impact of humankind on the planet, I knew I couldn’t just be a bystander,” says Horn. “Sailing provides a unique way to engage directly with the issues our planet is facing.” Recognizing that one way to protect and preserve the planet is through the next generation, the intrepid explorer is now on a mission to educate youngsters.

“I feel a deep sense of responsibility to protect the planet and to inspire young people to do the same,” says Horn.

The Explorer

In 2008, Horn and a crew of young explorers set sail on board the 115’ (35m) exploration vessel PANGAEA. The four-year circumnavigation, which covered over 100,000 nautical miles, was designed to highlight the fragility of the earth’s ecosystems and demonstrate the urgent need for action. “The only way to truly protect our planet is to inspire the younger generation to see and appreciate the natural beauty of our planet firsthand,” says Horn. “Over the course of this four-year program, we undertook 12 expeditions to diverse corners of the globe, each involving 12 young adults aged 15 to 20, selected from around the world. We faced a range of challenges, including extreme weather conditions. I was blown away by their enthusiasm and also their

staying power in the face of adversity.” During the voyage, Horn and his team also conducted scientific research in some of the world’s most remote and inaccessible locations, engaging in environmental education and awareness campaigns with locals along the way. “Community is crucial,” says Horn. “And no one knows the ocean better than those who live by it. Every time we docked near a coastal village or island, we held open forums, inviting local fishermen and others to share their observations about the changes they were seeing firsthand.” The expedition was an unqualified success, with participants not only returning home as environmental ambassadors but also inspiring others to take action.

Building on the triumph of the original Pangaea expedition, Horn then launched a social and environmental impact program called Pangaea X. With a stronger focus on young innovators and changemakers, Pangaea X aims to inspire a new generation of environmental leaders to make a tangible difference in the future and safeguarding of our planet.

Selection for Pangaea X is tough among the many applicants with a strong passion for environmental issues. Those who stand out demonstrate a drive to make a difference and show resilience, curiosity, and an adventurous spirit. “You don’t need to be an athlete or scientist to join the program, you just need to be willing to learn, work hard, and be open to what nature has to teach us,” says Horn.

Horn believes that exploration is key to increasing our understanding of the planet, allowing us to more effectively manage, conserve, and use the world’s resources that are vital to our lives. Horn also believes that there is an opportunity for the superyacht community to contribute toward scientific research. With only five percent of the sea floor mapped, and our understanding of the marine ecosystem confined largely to coastal regions and areas of commercial fishing interest, there is still a lot to be explored. Purpose-built research vessels, like OceanX and REV Ocean, are expensive and there is an opportunity for the more run-of-the-mill yachting community to make a contribution. “For example, platforms like Yachts for Science connect

scientists with vital research projects with yacht owners who can host the scientists on board to conduct their research,” says Horn. “SeaKeepers also has a DISCOVERY Yacht Program matching scientists with yachts.”

You don’t need to be a yacht owner to make a difference. There are hundreds of initiatives all over the world allowing charterers with an interest in the health of our oceans to engage with local communities or participate in local environmental initiatives.

pangaeax.org

“I want to give young people the tools, skills, and firsthand experiences to appreciate the earth and, more importantly, to take responsibility for its future.”

Setting the stage for future research and decision-making, Horn uses exploration to inspire young innovators and change-makers.

What’s Left

Horn, and his sailing yacht PANGAEA, are now in the fifteenth year of adventures that have taken them on 27 world tours in a never-ending quest to highlight the fragility of the earth. Custom-built, PANGAEA is designed specifically for research and exploration and has reached some of the world’s most remote and inaccessible locations. PANGAEA and Horn are currently in the midst of an expedition named “What’s Left”, which aims to return to a number of destinations after 30 years of exploration to assess the impact of environmental changes in these areas. To date, they have journeyed to the Arctic, and will be heading to the Amazon, Patagonia, Antarctica, New Zealand, Australia, and Asia. Completing adventures and research along the way, the expedition’s aim is to gain a better understanding of the changes that have occurred in these remote areas over the past half century.