Education & Citizen Science
Impromptu beach clean up, Henderson Island, Pitcairn
Our small ship expedition cruises are led by a highly experienced expedition team, experts in their field who inform with their knowledge and enthusiasm every step of the way. Through onboard briefings, informal presentations and whilst accompanying guests ashore and on Zodiac excursions, they will share their in-depth knowledge of the wildlife, landscape and natural and cultural history of the region. Additionally, on all of our tours we employ local guides where possible meaning that our guests gain much understanding of the cultural and natural heritage of the destinations visited.
We frequently use our vessels as platforms of opportunity to collect information that contributes towards scientific projects and our field staff will often run citizen science projects on board, providing clients with the opportunity to take part in the data collection of active research projects. This information is collected and submitted through single project collaborations e.g. micro-plastics sampling, marine mammal logging, animal photo ID contributions. This can enhance the experience of our guests as well as contribute data to projects from the hard-to-reach places that we visit.
One research group that we have formally teamed up with is ORCA – one of the UK’s leading marine conservation charities with more than fifteen years of delivering consideration projects at sea. Through ORCA we provide annual training to staff and crew on the logging of marine mammal sightings and periodically take ORCA wildlife officers on our voyages.
Also, on many of our cruises, field staff will organise a beach clean up session with Noble Caledonia guests and staff collecting the debris, and Salén Ship Management transporting the rubbish and absorbing the cost to have it disposed of correctly.