aeolian islands 2024
Expedition schedule
LEG 1: 21.09–28.09, milazzo-the islands-milazzo
LEG 2: 28.09-05.10, milazzo-the islands-milazzo
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 follow-up study from our 2023 expedition, intending to monitor surface water microplastic samples down to a size of 50 microns (0.05mm) around the Aeolian islands.
What is included in an expedition week ​
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All participants will serve as crew and be integrated into the sailing routine as much as possible. This involves navigation, watch duty, setting sails, reefing, anchoring and kitchen duty​​​​
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Get to know how to sail and make sailor knots or improve your existing sailing skills with our skippers with more than 20 years of sailing experience and sleep like a real crew and share beds/bunking with other participants
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Assist with the sampling by using the Manta Trawl system, help to fill out the data sheets, and conduct the first evaluations on board​
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Listen to our daily lectures on plastic pollution and its impact on the environment and human health as well as the structure of the marine ecosystem, plankton, etc.
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Learn how to take plankton samples and do the analysis of the samples on board to feed the NOAA plankton database to better understand the global occurrence and distribution patterns of plankton
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Get the opportunity to get in touch with local researchers and learn from them what their research entails
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Go swimming and snorkeling in the deep blue sea and explore the land whenever possible!
The costs per expedition week are as follows
The course costs are CHF 1’750.- per person per week. There is a 10% reduction (CHF 350.-) on the course costs for the additional week. The course costs for two consecutive weeks thus amounts to CHF 3’150.-. The course costs for Students are CHF 1’250.- per person per week. The participation costs cover the participants' board and lodging on board and help to finance the project.
Included in the price are
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Shared room
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Food, drinks (all-inclusive)
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Board cash contributions (fixed) including harbor fees, diesel, marine park fee, cleaning, etc.
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Carbon footprint removal, CO2 emission removal for the diesel exhaust gases produced
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A Sail & Explore Expedition T-shirt
​Not included in the price are
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Food and drinks on land are not taken over by the board cash. Participants pay these themselves.
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Requirements:
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You don't need any sailing skills or to have a scientific background
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EVERYONE CAN PARTICIPATE AND BECOME A CITIZEN SCIENTIST!
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*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.
LET'S CREATE A CHANGE TOGETHER! Take action and become part of our expedition crew
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To get more information about the expedition and to register fill out the form on the right side "MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION". We will get back to you with further information concerning the full registration, outward and return journey, boat details, what to bring etc.
EXPEDITION PARTNER
