With our ships we offer trips in collaboration with The Ocean Movement foundation.
The Ocean Movement (formerly By The Ocean We Unite) is a Dutch foundation with charitable status (ANBI) that aims to prevent plastic from ending up in our oceans. They conduct research, educate, and engage individuals, organizations, and governments by organizing a variety of activities—sailing expeditions, lectures, and documentaries. Read below about The Ocean Movement's mission and research, and how you can expand your sailing trip with a plastic component, a fully catered corporate expedition, or join one of their plastic soup expeditions.
The Ocean Movement's mission is to take people (in person or digitally) into our oceans and seas and raise awareness of the plastic soup that has transformed our waters. Through scientific research, we aim to increase knowledge about the causes and consequences of plastic pollution at sea. To truly prevent plastic from being discarded in nature, we offer people tips on changing their own behavior. To maximize its positive impact, The Ocean Movement joins forces with many individuals and organizations worldwide.
Plastic pollution has become one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time. An average of eight billion kilos of plastic enters our oceans annually, that's 23,000 kilos per minute! The Ocean Movement believes we can tackle this problem together. We must share knowledge and inspire change. Focus on what we can do and tackle the problem at its source!
The Ocean Movement believes that seeing is believing. That's why we take people on a journey to show them that tiny, polluting bits of plastic are everywhere. By taking samples, The Ocean Movement researchers can show expedition members fragments invisible from above. This way, we demonstrate how much bigger the problem is than just the larger bottles and bags floating around.
Citizen Science
Using their Manta Trawl, researchers from The Ocean Movement collect samples to search for plastic particles in surface water. The Manta Trawl consists of two metal wings that float on the water's surface and has a wide mouth. The net behind the system skims the surface, catching anything in the top layer. The design is based on the manta ray, a large ray species that feeds primarily on plankton by swimming with its mouth wide open.
The Manta Trawl essentially does the same thing; it filters the top 15 centimeters of the water column with a net with a mesh size of 300 micrometers (0.3 millimeters), collecting the plastic particles in the end of the net, also known as the cod butt. The trawl is towed by a vessel for 30 minutes at a speed of up to 3 knots, according to a standardized protocol developed by the 5Gyres Institute. The plastic particles caught in the cod butt are then collected, sorted, and measured. Finally, the concentration of plastic particles in the water is calculated from the items found per trawl, and the amount of filtered water during the towing process is measured with a flow meter.
With these expeditions, The Ocean Movement shows passengers the beauty of the water and, through citizen science research, simultaneously confronts them directly with the plastic waste that threatens them.
The dedicated marine biologists and expedition leaders have years of experience leading research programs and expeditions aboard various sailing vessels. The team, with strong communication skills, is comprised of professionals capable of engaging with any audience.
At sea, clouded minds are cleared, and hearts begin to beat faster with excitement about our beautiful planet. And the need to protect it.
Don't wait any longer – now is the time to tackle the plastic problem!
Photos: Marieke den Ouden
The possibilities
Want to increase the positive impact of your sailing trip? Add a plastic-reduction component to your onboard program. For example, you could join a marine biologist from The Ocean Movement on a personal survey with the Manta Trawl. Interested and want to learn more? Click here for more information.
Looking for a unique one-, two-, or three-day (or longer!) corporate sailing expedition where you can collectively contribute to protecting our oceans from plastic pollution, create new connections, and enjoy being on the water? We can arrange it for you!
Our experienced crew, caterers, and the expedition leaders and marine biologists of The Ocean Movement are ready to assist you!
Get to know each other, the beautiful nature the Netherlands has to offer, and the challenge of plastic pollution a little better. Help The Ocean Movement collect scientific data and learn more about the power of individuals. Or explore the possibilities for your organization. Click here for more information.
Interested in joining one of The Ocean Movement Plastic Soup Expeditions, alone or with a smaller group? An adventurous and unique sailing expedition in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Wadden Sea! Learn all about sailing and plastic pollution while on the water. The professional crew will ensure you have a fantastic day! Click here for more information about the One-day plastic expeditions.
