A South Pacific chance for the adventurous sailor to make a difference

12:47 AM Sun 14 Feb 2010 GMT

'One of the OceansWatch yachts Magic Roundabout swamped with visitors' Chris Bone Click Here to view large photo

OceansWatch is looking for yachts for projects in Vanuatu for the coming season, and volunteers to assist in exciting projects in the South Pacific. For several years now, this international organisation of sailors devoted to working with divers and scientists has helped coastal communities conserve their marine environment and develop livelihoods sustainable into the future.

As part of their general mission, sailors have sailed to many remote areas and have a program whereby they check the local reefs for their ongoing health, as well as passing on their expertise to the local inhabitants.

OceansWatch will be giving ReefCheck training to snorkellers and divers early in the season(April to October), possibly again mid-season if there is enough demand. With this training, those interested, who also become members of the organisation, will be able to assist with follow-up reef surveys in the communities that were visited last year.

The team will be working closely with the Vanuatu Environment and Fisheries Departments, through the effective relationship which has been established with them.

Therefore they are also looking for boats willing to host some of their more qualified volunteers and local Fisheries staff who could then have the opportunity to work individually on small side projects of their own. This was done last year with huge success, thanks to volunteers Natalie, Lindsey and Emily and the OceansWatch members who hosted them!

OceansWatch Reef Check surveying - Chris Bone Click Here to view large photo

There will also be lots of interaction with the local communities as members deliver school supplies and engage them in all aspects of their work. This is considered important by OceansWatch, as capacity building is paramount to creating successful sustainable livelihoods.

For volunteers, there may also be an opportunity to support a canoe-building project in Malakula being run by one of the OceansWatch members.

Project lead boat Magic Roundabout will be in Vanuatu from early May until late November, so if you can help at any point during the season please contact OceansWatch as soon as possible at Chris@oceanswatch.org .

An OceansWatch project could take you to many fascinating locations.. - .. .

The organisation is looking for marine biologists, divers, sailors, education specialists, members with yachts, or any other various skills that may be helpful. Another opportunity you may be interested in getting involved with is the pending cetacean-watching program in Fiji.

For those with a real sense of adventure, OceanWatch's recently donated Polynesian voyaging canoe will be heading from New Zealand to Shanghai on a climate change awareness project in mid-April. .

If you have the time, the desire, are adventurous and agree with the goals and philosophies of OceansWatch, this is an opportunity to be a part of a great organisation and join with them in making a real Difference.

To learn more about OceansWatch, click here

by Sail-World Cruising