Assist with cetacean research from a research sailboat in the Mediterranean
Program Overview
Join us aboard the Pelagos, a beautiful 21m sailboat, to cruise the Mediterranean waters between Italy, France and Corsica and conduct research in the stunning Ligurian Sea Cetacean Sanctuary.
This marine protected area is well known for its whales and dolphins. Volunteers will investigate spatial distribution, habitat preferences, ecology and behavior of these animals. 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 here than in other parts of the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, the Ligurian Sea is also affected by pollution, heavy vessel traffic and intense fishing activities, all of which are significant threats to the survival of cetaceans.
Life on the Program
Upon arrival, you will receive a thorough training on the research methodologies as well as how to live and work on the boat. During the course of the program, you will have daily presentations on cetacean biology and conservation.
Volunteers act as full members of the boat’s crew and as such will be assigned a number of duties, including:
- Sighting shifts during which you look for cetaceans
- Computer shifts to perform data entry and hydrophone listening
- Navigation shifts which include checking the boat’s course and velocity
- Cooking shifts for preparing meals and cleaning up
- Boat maintenance shifts for keeping the boat tidy and ready to sail
The schedule may vary depending on weather and sea conditions as well as research priorities.
Please be aware that long days of living and working at sea can be demanding. Rooms on the boat are shared and bathrooms have showers with hot running water.
Program Details
During your initial training, you will receive lessons on the principles of navigation, survey methods, and data collection during cetacean sightings. Our staff will also teach you to use specialized equipment including hand-held microcomputers, laser range finders, chronometers, velocity-time and depth recorders (V-TDR), hydrophones and skin-swabbing instruments.
Armed with this knowledge and training, you will be ready to carry out a range of research tasks such as:
- Photo identification of specimens
- Visual and acoustic surveys
- Photogrammetry
- Behavioral sampling and respiration patterns
- Skin swabbing
- Vocalizations and acoustic data collection
- Remote underwater tracking
- Fecal sampling
During the week on board the Pelagos, our staff will lead interactive lectures and open discussions to deliver in-depth information about the different aspects of cetacean research.
Volunteer Testimonials
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.
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!
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Program Details
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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
