The KARMA OceanLab project brings together three enthusiasts of sailing, mountains, and adventure, all aged 23, with a common goal: to use exploration to raise awareness about ocean protection. The team consists of Tom Saint-Cast (multi-tasking crew/videographer), Hugo Begnis (captain), and Nino Comet (mechanic/handyman crew).
Tom Saint-Cast, a student aspiring to be a teacher, is passionate about mountain sports and hybrid adventures. Hugo Begnis, a future certified high-mountain guide, grew up partly on a sailboat and aims to combine education with his passion. Nino Comet, a snowboarder and surfer, views this project as a spiritual way to travel in harmony with nature.
The project involves a round-trip transatlantic voyage aboard a 1982 Jeanneau Melody 34 sailboat. The departure is planned for mid-September 2026, with an itinerary covering the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, the Caribbean, the East Coast of the United States, Bermuda, the Azores, and a return to the Mediterranean.
This journey serves as a platform for two key causes: preventing climate change and preserving marine ecosystems. The crew intends to collaborate with students to create an album of about ten songs titled « Voix de l’Océan » (Voices of the Ocean).
Supported by the association Créal’O and joining the Astrolabe Expéditions fleet, this initiative aims to raise awareness and inspire the preservation of the marine environment.
