Marine Research Expedition

Join us aboard our research Sailboat in the Mediterranean. 

Do you want to be part of an international crew aboard and help with data collection underwater? We will teach you the necessary skillset for habitat mapping, species Identification and mapping of their distribution, and spotting for Marine Megafauna, such as dolphins, whales, and turtles. 

In recent years habitat loss has become one of the major concerns in the Mediterranean sea, as it is generally followed by a loss of various species that depend on it. With our work, we aim to identify key locations of healthy habitats and work towards their protection in order to counteract those developments.

As a volunteer aboard, you will be part of the actual research team, which means snorkeling, measuring seagrass meadows, looking for species, taking pictures and videos of all the different organisms you see, and learning to identify them! While we are sailing you will also be standing watches - spotting whales and dolphins and trying to take the best possible pictures of them for Photo Identification with our partner organizations. 

In other words, you will not be considered a passenger on board, but rather a part of the crew, where everyone chips in with daily tasks, watches, sailing time and we all get to enjoy our free time together as well.

You will be living aboard a 21m sailing boat, together with up to 9 more people, which gives everyone enough space to find a quiet corner when needed but also enough social areas to live and work together. During your stay, we generally move every other day for a 4-5 hour sail to the next location, which gives us enough time to map and check the underwater world in each location properly and of course to have a look onshore as well if wanted.

While no prior experience in sailing, diving, or marine research is required (we will happily teach you all the necessary skills on board) any background in related fields or previous experience will make it easier for you to find your routine - that being said so far everyone managed to pick up on all the new skills and tasks within a week. 

All the equipment needed for the scientific and outreach work is available on board, but we do recommend bringing your own snorkeling gear, as this ensures, that the mask fits properly and the fins don't hurt your feet after a short time.

07:30 wakeup

08:00 - 09:00 Breakfast (self service)

09:00 - 10:00 Snorkelling session (Marine species counts, species ID, habitat mapping)

10:00 - 14:00: Sailing to new location (with marine megafauna watches)

12:00 - 13:00: Lunch underway (One person cooks for everyone, second person does the dishes)

14:00 - 15:00: Break time

15:00 - 16:00 Snorkelling session (Marine species counts, species ID, habitat mapping)

16:00 - 17:00 Data entry (computer - generally 1-2 persons)

17:00 dinner

18:00 - 07:30 Free time (Sunsets, music sessions, guitar lessons, presentations if wanted, .... room for games)

On weekends we are aiming to be near small towns or other nice locations, but free time activities on board also include all kinds of watersports as well as music (Guitar and Ukulele on board), wildlife watching and social interaction, games and much more. Once tied up to land whatever the city has to offer is free to do!