A former tugboat turned expedition ship
Built in 1968 by Chantiers de la Perrière in Lorient, the Manguier served for three decades in the French Navy. Bought by Philippe Hercher in 2002, she was transformed into a sailing expedition ship, equipped with bipod masts, solar panels and polar-friendly fittings. Since 2009, she has been sailing Arctic waters, welcoming artists, scientists and schoolchildren on board as part of the "Artists in the Arctic" program.
Grounding in December 2024
On December 13, 2024, during a storm and despite an impressive anchorage, the Manguier chased its anchors and ran aground on a shoal in Qammavinguaq Bay. Lying on its side, half-submerged, with the engine drowned, the ship became trapped in the ice, making any rescue operation impossible during the winter.
A collective salvage operation
On June 25, 2025, taking advantage of spring break-up, a team of volunteers and villagers from Akunnaaq set about refloating the Manguier. Three boats, three pumps and several hours of work were needed to pump the water out of the holds and right the ship. After several hours of hard work, the Manguier slid off its rock and regained its buoyancy. She was then escorted to a small beach in the bay for safe grounding.
A new life for Manguier?
Although the Manguier has regained her buoyancy, her future remains uncertain. Major repairs are required, and as no insurance has covered the vessel, appeals for donations have been launched to fund the work. The captain plans to transform the Manguier into a museum ship or a venue for cultural events, in order to preserve its heritage and continue to raise public awareness of Arctic environmental issues. We have been able to contact Philippe Hercher, captain of the Manguier:
" The future of the Manguier is still very uncertain, but what is certain is that she will no longer be able to sail: engine and generator drowned, furniture totally destroyed.
But maybe a burst of energy mixed with a grain of madness would allow it to be turned into Café Arctique, or some other little Riel-esque tale!"
