A golden evening on Lake Ontario. Wikipedia Commons Photo.
In the last week, we have had a lot of inquiries about the upcoming Freshwater Research and Scientific Communications course. The course, which will be held on board our sailing vessel, Sea Dragon, this July. We are thrilled to tell you that the course is filling up rapidly, and as the summer approaches, we are all beginning to look forward to sunny sailing along the St. Lawrence Seaway, and through Lake Ontario.
Some people were wondering why it is that we chose to run our undergraduate course between Montreal and Toronto, Canada. It’s a good question, and one I posed recently to the course leader, Dr. Sherri (Sam) Mason.
Dr. Mason graduated cum laude from the University of Texas at Austin before completing her PhD in Chemistry at the University of Montana as a NASA Earth System Science scholar. She is currently an Associate Professor at SUNY Fredonia in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Her research interests are focused upon plastic pollution within freshwater ecosystems. In addition to her primary academic role she serves as the coordinator of the Environmental Sciences program and the Sustainability Coordinator for the SUNY FACE Center.
Dr. Mason lakeside looking for plastic particles in beach sand. Photo from WBFO's new website
Dr. Mason is a pioneer in freshwater plastic pollutions research. During the summer of 2012, Dr. Mason and a team of 20 undergraduate students aboard the tall ship Flagship Niagara, a wooden ship that’s replica vessel from the War of 1812. Dr. Mason and her crew conducted the first-ever survey for plastic pollution in the Great Lakes, using a manta trawl to collect samples within the open waters of the 3 of the 5 Great lakes (Superior, Huron and Erie).
No one knew what Dr. Mason’s team would find in the Great Lakes, but the results turned out to be shocking.Two of the 21 samples they collected contained 600,000 plastic pieces per square kilometre — nearly twice as much as the highest plastic count ever recorded in the infamous Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
This summer, as a part of Pangaea’s Freshwater Research course, Dr. Mason plans on having students collect plastic debris samples in the St. Lawrence Seaway, as well as Lake Ontario, to compare to the samples found in Lakes Superior, Huron and Erie. Lake Ontario is the furthest lake downstream in the Great Lakes, and is fed by the movement of water from Lake Erie via Niagara Falls. Mason has theorized that the highest concentrations of plastic debris could be found in Lake Ontario, and is eager to investigate.
I spoke to Dr. Mason recently about what drives her to study freshwater plastics pollution. For a more detailed interview with Dr. Mason, you can check out her interview on Dialogues TV:
Shot from Dialogues' Episode with Dr. Sherri Mason
Pangaea Explorations: What inspired you to study plastic pollution issues?
Dr. Mason: One of my favorite classes to teach is a nonmajors Environmental Chemistry course in which I get to introduce the plethora of environmental issues facing our society. I have been teach about plastic pollution in that class for ten years.
PE:What do you think are the most pressing environmental issues for the Great Lakes at the moment?
Dr. Mason: Unfortunately the most pressing environmental issues for the Great Lakes haven’t changed much. This region was the cornerstone for the industrial revolution within the US and we are still dealing with the aftermath of all that industrialization. PCBs, which were banned in the US in 1979, are still present in significant amounts, as are Dioxins, Furans, DDT and Mercury. These POP (persistent organic pollutant) species have been and continue to be a major environmental concern for this region.
The presence of plastic within the great Lakes only adds an additional layer of complexity to this issue because we know that they adsorb POPs from the surrounding water, hyper-concentrating them on their surface and thereby aiding in their ability to migrate into the food chain.
Dr. Mason on board the Tall ship Flagship NiagaraPE: What is being done to combat plastic pollutions in the Great Lakes region now?
Dr. Mason: Until our initial survey during the Summer of 2012, this wasn’t even known to be an issue. In fact a number of government officials I spoke to in advance of our expedition didn’t believe we would find anything. But we did. I don’t think anything is really being done right now to combat plastic pollution within the Great Lakes, but I hope that will quickly change.
PE:What will students be learning during the Freshwater Research Course?
Dr. Mason: We will start with just a basic overview of the Great Lakes system: how and when they were created, characteristics of each of the lakes within the system and differences between the lakes. We will then move on to basic water quality measurements (hands-on) and plastic pollution surveys. We plan (time permitting) to also discuss eutrophication, PPCPs, invasive species and environmental policies of the Great Lakes.
PE: Are there any new technologies or ideas out there that can help us tackle freshwater environmental pollution?
Dr. Mason: The best solution for any environmental problem is to start at the source of the issue. So rather than looking to new technologies to help “fix” the problem, stop the problem before it starts. Switching from modern agricultural methods (which involve using large quantities of synthetic chemicals, such as pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers) to more organic methods, for example, can do a lot with regard to current issues with algal blooms and eutrophication. Similarly, decreasing our use of single-use disposable plastic items, like bags, straws, and bottles, can dramatically reduce the amount of plastic that is in our water.
PE: What do you love about sailing in the Great Lakes?
Collecting samples on board Flagship Niagara
Dr. Mason: I lived along the shores of the Great Lakes for 10 years before I ever went out in them, and it wasn’t until I went sailing the Great Lakes for the first time that I truly appreciated them. They are amazing!
The lakes truly are beautiful, breath-taking and powerful. I think that every-single person, all 35 million of us that live within the Great Lakes watershed, should go sailing at least once on the Great Lakes.Once you’ve seen the lakes froma sail boat, you appreciate what they are- how vast, amazing and beautiful they are. From then on, you want to do anything you can to make sure they stay that way.
To learn more about the Freshwater Research and Scientific Communications Course, click here:
To read more about Dr. Sherri Mason’s 2012 Expedition, check these articles out:
Allen, Katie. November 29, 2012. “High Levels of Plastics Found in the Great Lakes”. Toronto Star Newspaper article.
A first ocean experience is something that stays with you long after you step back on land.
At Panexplore, every voyage is built around safety, learning, and shared time at sea. With an experienced crew supporting each step of the journey, guests are able to grow their confidence on the water while feeling fully supported throughout the expedition.
We’re grateful for the trust placed in our team, and even more grateful for the connections formed along the way. 🌊
#Panexplore #SailTheWorld #DreamTravel #OceanJourney #OceanAdventures #SailingInstagram
Sometimes the hardest part isn't the ocean crossing, the night watch, or learning something new.
It's deciding to start.
There will always be reasons to wait a little longer, learn a little more, or put it off until the timing feels perfect.
But the people who end up crossing oceans, spotting whales from the deck, and waking up in places most people never see usually have one thing in common:
At some point, they stopped thinking about it and went.
#Panexplore #GoSailing #AdventureTravel #LifeAtSea #SailingAdventure #TrySomethingNew #ExploreMore #OceanLife
Not all dangerous winds arrive with a storm front. ☁️
Katabatic winds form when cold, dense air builds over glaciers or mountains and rushes downhill toward the sea. As the air funnels through fjords, valleys, and narrow coastal passages, it can accelerate into powerful offshore gusts with little warning.
These winds are common near steep glacial coastlines in places like Antarctica, Greenland, Patagonia, Alaska, Iceland, and Norway. One of the biggest dangers is how quickly conditions can change, with calm anchorages turning hazardous within minutes, even under clear skies.
Experienced sailors watch for early warning signs like:
👉 Cold air descending from mountain slopes
👉 Rapid drops in temperature
👉 Strange ripples or “cat’s paws” moving across otherwise calm water
👉 Clouds pouring over ridgelines
👉 Increasing gusts during nighttime or early morning cooling
In areas known for katabatic winds, crews often adjust routes, reduce sail early, and avoid anchoring near steep valleys or glacier fronts, since conditions can shift rapidly, especially after sunset. For expedition sailors, understanding the surrounding landscape is often just as important as reading the forecast.
Have you ever experienced weather changing suddenly at sea?
#Panexplore #SailTheWorld #OffShoreLife #SailingInstagram #SailingTips #SailTrip
The Galápagos changes when you experience it slowly.
Not as a quick stop on a packed itinerary, but as a place you move through gradually waking up with the ocean, spending time in each anchorage, and actually noticing the wildlife and landscapes around you.
There’s something special about arriving by sailboat, stepping onto remote shores, and feeling completely removed from the pace of everyday life for a while.
Some places deserve more time. The Galápagos is one of them.
#Panexplore #Galapagos #SlowTravel #SailingAdventure #WildlifeTravel #AdventureTravel #LifeAtSea #ExploreMore
Before the sails go up, this ☕🗺️
Passage planning is where the voyage actually begins — reading the weather, walking the crew through the route, making sure everyone knows what's ahead. The ocean rewards preparation.
#Panexplore #LifeAtSea #ExpeditionSailing #OceanJourney #SailFarLiveBold
Team @grundens vs Team @mustoclothing
But everyone’s on Team @spinlockhq and @oceansignalltd 💛
@panexplore is Proud of our Technical Partners!
#sailing #adventure #oceans #expedition #arctic
Join us aboard the safest yacht SV Sea Dragon to cross the most epic Bay of Biscay this fall!
This is a Bucket List items for sailors - we do not recommend it to first-timers. It’ll be your time to show what you made off, to test your navigation skills and your resilience in big weather and high seas!
Leaving Portsmouth, UK on Oct 17, we’ll make landfall across the UK, France, Portugal and arrive in Gran Canaria on Nov 6 2026
Check out the detailed itinerary on our website!
🔗 Link in Bio
#Adventuresailing #panexplore #ocean #oceancrossing #sailing
The Bay of Biscay isn't known for being easy.
It's known for being unforgettable.
Big seas, changing weather, and the kind of sailing that reminds you just how powerful the ocean can be.
For some people, that's exactly the reason to go.
Not because it's comfortable.
Because it's real.
#Panexplore #BayOfBiscay #OceanCrossing #SailingAdventure #LifeAtSea #AdventureTravel #OffshoreSailing #Panexplore
Joining the crew means becoming part of a working expedition team, not simply stepping aboard for a vacation. ⛵
Here’s what you can expect before and during your voyage aboard:
👉 Hands-on participation in sailing and daily vessel operations
👉 In-depth safety briefing and training time at sea
👉 Teamwork, watches, and shared responsibilities at sea
👉 Medical forms and crew documentation before departure
👉 Detailed welcome packs with itineraries and packing lists
👉 Limited storage space, soft duffel bags only
👉 Reduced connectivity while underway, with limited onboard wifi through Starlink
👉 A dry vessel policy while sailing - means no alcohol
👉 A true expedition experience focused on learning, adventure, and connection with nature
From sail handling and night watches to daily operations on deck, every crew member plays an active role in the voyage. The first days on board are focused on training, teamwork, and learning the systems of the vessel, giving everyone the confidence to participate fully, regardless of experience level.
Life aboard also comes with a shared responsibility to care for the boat, support one another, and adapt to the rhythm of expedition sailing. It’s a hands-on experience designed for those who want to challenge themselves, learn practical seamanship, and explore remote parts of the world in a meaningful way.
#Panexplore #SailTheWorld #OffShoreLife #SailingInstagram #SailingTips #SailTrip #ExpeditionVehicle
Watch the 20min documentary video @theboatshowguy put together after sailing Bermuda > New York aboard SV Sea Dragon through a gale!
🔗 Link in Bio
Thank you @vizsense @waterwaystv for capturing and sharing your experience!
#expedition #sailing #ocean #crossing #storm
Spending 1,500 nautical miles offshore is no small experience, especially for a first ocean passage.
One of the things we value most aboard Sea Dragon is creating an environment where guest crew can challenge themselves, build confidence at sea, and feel supported throughout the journey. From learning new skills on deck to adapting to life offshore, every voyage becomes a shared experience shaped by the people on board.
We’re grateful to have been part of this adventure and thankful for the trust placed in our crew along the way. 🌊
#Panexplore #SailTheWorld #DreamTravel #OceanJourney #OceanAdventures #SailingInstagram
Sailing out two ways: join as an individual or charter the whole sailing expedition ⛵️
Every voyage comes fully crewed with a Skipper, Mate, and Deckhand, so you can step aboard and focus on the experience.
From research teams, foundations, private clubs, communities and leadership groups, Panexplore has hosted expeditions designed to bring people together at sea.
Open for charter. Ready when you are.
👉 DM us to request our availabilities and daily rate
#Panexplore #Sailing #adventure #SailingInstagram #charteryacht
