Ascension Island brought an exceptional and important experience to the Sea Dragon expedition team. The island is an incredibly remote speck of land – separated not just physically, but temporally from the world around it. Far out in the center of the south Atlantic Ocean, it is rare in its […]
Read Morelegacy
Stranded on Ascension Island
We’ve landed safely on Ascension Island – all the crew were pleased to see land and a cold beer after thirteen days at sea. The last 72 hours of the voyage were rough as we were close hauled, heading almost straight into the swell. Two miles off the anchorage at Georgetown […]
Read MoreHeros of a Different Sort
When we imagine great hero of conservation, we have very specific criteria in mind – legendary contributions, moving millions of people forward in practical and philosophical ways and often braving serious personal (and often professional) risk. These are giants doing big things. William Beebe pressing the edge of early oceanography […]
Read MoreYoga at Sea and Plastic Perspectives.
By crew member, Liana John, Environmental Journalist, National Geographic Brasil After two days of ups and downs on the waves and on the wind speed, the Friday, September third starts with smooth sailing and a flatter sea. By 2:30, the waning moon sneaks out of the dark clouds ahead. Soon […]
Read MoreA Whale Swims Through Our Stain: Plastic Everywhere Enroute To Ascension.
A whale breaches a mile away, blowing just below the surface before descending back to the depths, rolling forward raising its tail flukes then repeating the performance as we part-company. As we continue our research mission heading for Ascension Island, the whale continues his life living and feeding in […]
Read MoreEnroute to Ascension Island: Plastic, Dolphins, and Breaching Whales
Day 5 – Tuesday 31st Changing tack for the first time after four days of close hauled sailing is interesting to say the least. The gentle and sometimes not so gentle bouncing of Sea Dragon had comfortably nestled everything into the starboard side of the boat but now the sudden […]
Read MoreSnagging nets
Sea Dragon team reported in today with wind speeds up to 30kts in short squall gusts. Boat moving at 9 kts straight and smooth ENE toward the Brazilian Islands of Trindad and Vaz. These two volcanic outposts sit like rock sentinels 800+ miles out in the open Atlantic. The trawl, […]
Read MoreGoing To Sea: A Plastic Tale Full Circle.
The taxi driver asked if I wanted to smoke. ‘No’ I said, watching the dawn rise as we drove downtown. He unwrapped a new packet of cigarettes– perhaps he was really asking if I minded him smoking. Driving through a shanty area across a heavily polluted river the smell […]
Read MoreNets in the water
Just got word in from the team that the “nets are in”. Once outside the 200nm Brazilian Exclusive Economic Zone, Sea Dragon is in international waters and is beginning the research. Marcus is carrying two trawls this trip. The first is the standard “Manta Trawl” that has been carrying […]
Read MoreMission away
As you can see on the SPOT Tracker satellite fix ( “Live Map” ) Sea Dragon and her team pushed off from Rio on schedule and – with a HUGE feeling of relief, headed out to sea. Departures invariably bring a major rush of activity, long nights and a last […]
Read MoreToday
Today we are go. Everything dozens of people work and believe in is now converged on Rio and Sea Dragon is about Today. Months of planning, decisions, sacrifice, investment and personal challenge now become a tangible reality. When we go to sea, or on any great human journey there are […]
Read MoreT-1 The Age We Live In
Today is one of the toughest days of any expedition – just before we go. We are at maximum preparation intensity. The full team is there…physically at least. They are setting down, making home in a common space, orientating, figuring things out, thinking through all the decisions that led them […]
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