Ligurian-tyrrhenian sea 2023
Expedition schedule
LEG 1: 27.may–03.JUNE, OLBIA - elba
LEG 2: 03.june–10.june, elba - genoa
The Mediterranean Basin — a sea neighboring the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by Africa, Europe and Asia — is the cradle of world civilization. It is a symbol of creativity, the search for the meaning of life and wisdom, and the love of people and nature. It is also a huge and sensitive ecosystem of marine biodiversity; albeit exposed to tourism activities, maritime routes and urbanized coastal areas which can increase marine debris. Today about 320 million tourists spend their holidays at the Mediterranean Sea annually. This tourism creates a 40% increase in marine litter during the summer period above and beyond the 208 - 760kg of solid urban waste produced annually by the 150 million people living by the Mediterranean basin. Estimated plastic fluxes from 33 countries around the Mediterranean basin lead up to 229,000 tons of plastic leaking into the Mediterranean Sea every year, equivalent to over 500 shipping containers each day.
In 2018, Sail & Explore began collecting marine debris data in the Ligurian-Tyrrhenian Sea (Olbia-Elba-Genoa) during the first two weeks of June. Our comparison study results (published in 2020) highlight the importance of monitoring the levels of plastic particle pollution in sensitive ecosystems during different years in order to ascertain the long-term trends in particle concentrations.
The aim of our expeditions is therefore to collect data on a ten years scale to evaluate if there are any changes which can be detected with regard to the quantity and spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics found in the area.
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.
​​
-
The chance to have a look through the microscope on board to explore the world of the plankton.
​​
-
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.