The Archipelago of the Aeolian Islands is a UNESCO world heritage and consists of seven astonishing and unique islands off the northern coast of Sicily. Lipari, Panarea, Vulcano, Stromboli, Salina, Alicudi, and Filicudi, all of them blessed by a savage beauty emerging from an uncontaminated sea, created by still-active volcanoes (Stromboli and Vulcano). The Islands are a popular tourist destination in the summer and attract up to 600,000 visitors annually also producing a big amount of plastic litter that can / will end up in the Mediterranean sea.

This expedition is a collaboration with Dr. Teresa Romeo, director and leader of the marine plastic pollution section of the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Sicily. Together with the support of a marine biologist from her group, we will for the very first time collect surface water microplastic samples down to a size of 50 microns (0.05mm) around the Aeolian islands.

A course week includes

All course participants will serve as crew and be integrated into the sailing routine as much as possible. This involves navigation, watch duty, setting sails, reefing and anchoring.

You will sleep like a real crew and share beds/bunking with other participants.

Get to know how to sail or improve your existing sailing skills with our skippers with more than 20 years of sailing experience

Assisting with the sampling by using the Manta Trawl system and conducting the first evaluations on board.

Daily lectures on plastic pollution and its impact on the environment as well as the structure of the marine ecosystem.

We will visit the Aeolian islands and get the chance to go snorkel among the hydrothermal underwater vents.

Last but not least, we are also on vacation and the "fun factor" will not be neglected. Swimming and land excursions are just as much a part of the program!

The boat

Dufour 460 Grand Large

Year 2016

Length 13.50m

Breadth 4.35m

Draught 2.30m

Berth 8

Cabines 4

Engine 55.16kW

Fuel 250l

The costs per course week are as follows

Costs per course week per participant:

Non-students CHF 1'850.-

Students CHF 1'350.-

Total cost per person when booking two weeks:

(includes a 10% discount)

Non-students CHF 3'330.-

Students CHF 2'430.-

Included in the price are

Shared room
Food, drinks (all-inclusive)
Board cash contributions (fixed) including harbor fees, diesel, marine park fee, cleaning, etc.
Carbon footprint removal, CO2 emission removal for the diesel exhaust gases produced

Not included in the price are

Food and drinks on land are not taken over by the board cash. Participants pay these themselves.

Requirements:

You don't need to have a scientific background
No sailing skills are necessary
EVERYONE CAN PARTICIPATE AND BECOME A CITIZEN SCIENTIST

*The expedition will only take place if there are enough participants. The possible realization of the expedition will be communicated at least one month before the start.

**the boat used for the expedition may differ from the one shown above due to the availability of the yacht charter.

To get more information about the expedition and to register click on the "MORE INFO" button and send us an email to get in touch with us.

aeolian islands 2023

EXPEDITION PARTNER

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