Sail a research vessel and assist with cetacean research in the Mediterranean
Program Overview
Join us aboard the Pelagos, a beautiful 21m sailing boat, and cruise the Mediterranean waters between Italy, France and Corsica whilst conducting research work in the stunning Ligurian Sea Cetacean Sanctuary.
This marine protected area is well known for its whales and dolphins and volunteers will investigate their spatial distribution, habitat preferences, ecology and behaviour. The research focuses on large-fin whales, sperm whales, Risso’s dolphins, pilot whales, and striped and bottlenose dolphins.
This region is particularly rich in nutrients so whales and dolphins are found in higher numbers than in other Mediterranean areas. Unfortunately, the Ligurian Sea is also affected by pollution, heavy vessel traffic and intense fishing activities, providing significant threats to the survival of cetaceans.
Life on the Program
Full training on the research and how to live and work on a boat is given on arrival, with daily presentations on cetacean biology and conservation.
You will be full members of the crew and will therefore be assigned a number of duties. These include; sighting shifts (looking for cetaceans), computer shifts (data entry and hydrophone listening), navigation shifts (checking the boat course and velocity) and cooking and boat-keeping shifts (preparing meals and cleaning up!).
Living and working for long days at sea can be demanding. Rooms are shared and bathrooms have showers with hot running water.
Please be aware that the schedule may vary depending on sea state, weather conditions and research priorities.
Program Details
Training begins with a series of lessons on the principles of navigation, survey methods, and data collection during cetacean sightings. Necessary information is given on the use of equipment including “hand-held” microcomputers, laser range finders, chronometers, velocity-time and depth recorders (V-TDR), hydrophones and skin-swabbing instruments. This will allow you to carry out a range of research tasks such as:
- Photo identification techniques
- Visual and acoustic surveys
- Photogrammetry
- Behavioural sampling and respiration patterns
- Skin swabbing
- Vocalizations and acoustic data
- Remote underwater tracking
- Faecal sampling
In-depth information about the different aspects of cetacean research will be given during the week spent on board through interactive lectures and open discussions.
Volunteer Testimonials
The highlight of the week? Seeing fin whales blowing off the bow, dolphins bow riding or waiting for a sperm whale to surface after its feeding clicks had ceased. Perhaps it was drifting at night across the Mediterranean sea, keeping watch in 2 hour shifts with the splash of dolphins somewhere in the dark, seeing more stars than you realise are in the sky or the jelly fish flashing from the sea beneath that was the best bit, or maybe it was the great company of the team and the multinational volunteers. Perhaps it was all of these things!
This week has been without doubt one of the most spectacular opportunities that I have been able to enjoy. Seeing so many fin whales in the first couple of days was an absolute experience, as well as the striped dolphins breaching out of the water, and swimming alongside the boat. The research team and crew were all true stars; they made the experience so enjoyable and unforgettable. They were incredibly friendly and made me feel really welcome. It really has been an absolute pleasure and I thank everyone for one of the best experiences of my life.
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Program Details
Build Your Program
What's Included
- Pre-departure support and discounted services
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- Arrival orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- All meals (unless otherwise stated in field manuals)
- Welcome meeting
- Location orientation
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- 24-hour in-country support
- Daily lectures and presentations on cetacean biology and conservation
- Certificate of involvement in the Cetacean Sanctuary Research
- Research contribution (€400.00)
- Mooring expenses in San Remo harbour
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Medical and travel insurance
- Visa costs
- Personal kit
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Travel expenses to and from San Remo
- Mooring expenses outside of Portosole (approximately €80-100 per night, to be divided by all the crew with the exception of the skipper)
- Meals other than those served onboard the boat
