OceansWatch appoints first Field Operations Yacht

by Chris Bone on 21 Jun 2015 Yacht-based Charitable Organisation OceansWatch has recently appointed their first Field Operations Yacht to undertake programs on their behalf.

OceansWatch CEO Chris Bone says, “It has been a long-standing wish of ours at OceansWatch to tap into the increasing number of skilled and committed sailors who want to make a real difference during their cruising years. They just need a little support and a framework in which to work.”

At any one time we estimate that there are around 7,000 yachts circumnavigating the World and with many of them wanting to help with humanitarian or environmental issues the potential amongst the cruising community is huge. Chris says that the cruiser/OceansWatch interface is now tried and tested in the South West Pacific and OceansWatch are looking forward to expanding the program worldwide.

The first yacht to join the program is S/Y Orion of Aberdeen, a 54’ steel cruiser owned by Marjo Boertien and Edwin Butter from Holland. They are just starting their long-term circumnavigation and are currently in the Canary Islands as members of the newly formed satellite OceansWatch office, ‘OceansWatch Atlantic’. This committee will concentrate on running programs in the area and is currently researching marine conservation needs on the West Coast of Africa and Cape Verde Islands. OceansWatch hope to start a program by early 2016.

Marjo and Edwin comment “Working closely with OceansWatch is a logical step for us since OceansWatch projects are carried out from sailing yachts and we dedicate ourselves and our vessel to ocean conservation projects. We feel a strong connection with the hands-on approach their work in the Pacific, working with communities, scientists and other like-minded organizations. In the past, this formula has proven to be successful and we are happy to be able to contribute to this concept worldwide.”

OceansWatch are seeking yacht-based teams with a good skill set who can easily assist without extensive training. S/Y Orion is a very well equipped yacht, with a team on board who have the enthusiasm and skills needed. Edwin is a Scuba Instructor and Marjo a teacher, so they can easily assist with the marine conservation programs. Chris says that many more cruisers now want to unite with OceansWatch and he expects to have a standardised agreement to offer cruisers in the near future.

In the South West pacific, Richie Rigg and Shine Herfindahl on the 45’ Catermaran Ka Pai will also be helping OceansWatch with a medical assistance program to refurbish health clinics after Cyclone Pam. Chris says his job is to match people with skills and passion to the needs of the people and environment that OceansWatch seeks to work with. The main criteria are enthusiasm, commitment (minimum 6 weeks) and a skill that can be utilised.

Cruisers interested in helping with OceansWatch projects can find more information at www.oceanswatch.org or email chris@oceanswatch.org.