Azores 2024
Expedition schedule
Leg 1: 17.08 – 24.08, Faial-Pico-Faial
Leg 2:24.08 – 31.08, Faial-Pico-Faial
The Azores are a remote group of islands, rising from the deep seafloor in the Atlantic where three continental plates meet and located at the very end of the North Atlantic Gyre. Well known by adventurous sailors, the Azores are offering astonishing views, great sailing conditions and an incredible underwater life. Numerous whales are passing by the archipelago such as sperm whales, tropical pilot whales, dolphins but also the biggest living mammal on our planet, the blue whale. In the year 2021, the Azores were announced a “hope spot” by the NGO Mission Blue, founded by the renowned marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle. However, this amazingly beautiful spot on our planet is highly affected by the plastic pollution problem.
Together with the team of marine biologist Dr. Christopher Pham, we are conducting surveys since 2019 to allow us to predict and monitor the amount of microplastics in this remote area. In addition, we started to focus on smaller sized plastic particles below 300 microns (0.3mm), as those particles can affect even more organisms. The aim of this expedition is to collect microplastics down to 50 microns (0.05mm) in size south of the islands of Faial and Pico, which is considered to be a marine megafauna (e.g. cetaceans, mobula rays, whale sharks) hotspot.
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 1’850.- per person per week. There is a 10% reduction (CHF 370.-) on the course costs for the additional week. The course costs for two consecutive weeks thus amounts to CHF 3’330.-. The course costs for Students are CHF 1’350.- 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.
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!
*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
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
