{"id":484011,"date":"2026-02-18T23:13:30","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T23:13:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/484011\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T23:13:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T23:13:30","slug":"how-sailing-voyages-can-inspire-the-next-generation-of-ocean-scientists-and-advocates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/484011\/","title":{"rendered":"How sailing voyages can inspire the next generation of ocean scientists and advocates"},"content":{"rendered":"

Setting sail from the busy port of Plymouth in Devon, the tall ship Pelican of London takes young people to sea, often for the first time. <\/p>\n

During each nine-day voyage, the UK-based sailing trainees, who often come from socio-economically challenging backgrounds, become crew members. They not only learn the ropes (literally) but also engage in ocean science<\/a> and stewardship activities<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As marine and outdoor education researchers, we wanted to find out whether mixing sail training and Steams (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics and sustainability) activities can inspire young people to pursue a more ocean-focused career, and a long-term commitment to ocean care.<\/p>\n

Research shows that a strong connection with the ocean can drive people to be active marine citizens<\/a>. This means they take responsibility for ocean health not only in their own lives but as advocates for more sustainable interactions with the ocean<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\"six<\/a><\/p>\n

Trainees get out of their comfort zone during each nine-day voyage.
\n Pelican of London<\/p>\n

Over the past year, we have worked with Charly Braungardt, head scientist with the charity Pelican of London<\/a>, to create a new theory<\/a> of how sail training with Steams activities<\/a> can change the paths that trainees pursue. <\/p>\n

Based on scientific evidence, our theory of change models how Steams activities can cause positive changes in personal development<\/a> and knowledge and understanding of the ocean (known as ocean literacy<\/a>). It shows how the voyages can develop trainees\u2019 strong connections with the ocean and encourage them to act responsibly towards it<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Tracking change<\/p>\n

Surveys with the participants before and after the voyage, and six months later, measure any changes that occur \u2013 and how these persist. Through our evaluation, we\u2019re exploring how combining voyages with Steams activities can go beyond personal development to produce deep, long-lasting effects.<\/p>\n

Our pilot study<\/a> has already shown how<\/a> the sail training and Steams combination helps to develop confidence, ocean literacy and ocean connections. <\/p>\n

For example, the boost to self-esteem and feelings of capability that occur on board help young people develop their marine identity<\/a> \u2013 the ocean becomes an important part of a person\u2019s sense of who they are. As one trainee put it: \u201cI think the ocean is me and the ocean will and forever be part of me.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Swimming, sailing, even just building a sandcastle – the ocean benefits our physical and mental wellbeing. Curious about how a strong coastal connection helps drive marine conservation, scientists are diving in to investigate the power of blue health. <\/p>\n

This article is part of a series, Vitamin Sea<\/a>, exploring how the ocean can be enhanced by our interaction with it.<\/p>\n

As crew members, trainees access a world and traditional culture largely unknown to them before the voyage. They learn to live with others in a confined space, working together in small teams to keep watch on 24-hour rotas.<\/p>\n

Trainees are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone through activities such as climbing the rigging and swimming off the vessel. Our pilot evaluation found the voyages built the trainees\u2019 confidence and social skills, boosting self-esteem and feelings of capability.<\/p>\n

One trainee said: \u201cI\u2019ve felt pretty disappointed in myself not committing to my education or only doing something with minimal effort. But after this voyage, I want to give it my all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more:
\n Five ways to inspire ocean connection: reflections from my 40-year marine ecology career<\/a><\/p>\n

The Steams voyages encourage the development of scientific skills and ocean literacy through the lens of creative tasks at sea. These activities are led by a scientist-in-residence who provides mentoring and introduces research techniques.<\/p>\n

The voyage gives trainees the opportunity to use scientific equipment, ranging from plankton nets and microscopes to cutting-edge technology such as remotely operated vehicles. The Steams activities introduce marine research as a potential career to these young people. One said they wanted to train as a marine engineer at nautical college following the voyage. <\/p>\n

\"young<\/a><\/p>\n

Taking part in wildlife surveys while on board.
\n Pelican of London.<\/p>\n

Ocean experiences<\/a> provide a foundation for ocean connection. Trainees experience the ocean in sunshine and in gales, day and night, rolling with the waves and observing marine life in its natural environment.<\/p>\n

Citizen science projects such as wildlife surveys and recorded beach cleans also develop their ocean stewardship knowledge and skills. One trainee explained how they have \u201cbecome more interested [in] our marine life and creative ways to help protect it\u201d.<\/p>\n

Over the next 12 months, the information we collect from the voyages will help us to better understand the benefits and contribute to an important marine social science data gap in young people. It is important to understand how to develop young people\u2019s relationships with the ocean, and the knowledge and skills that will empower the next generation of marine citizens.<\/p>\n

As one trainee put it: \u201cBeing out on the Pelican showed me how vast and powerful the sea is \u2013 and how important it is to respect and care for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Imagine<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t have time to read about climate change as much as you\u2019d like?
\n
Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead.<\/a> Every Wednesday, The Conversation\u2019s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 47,000+ readers who\u2019ve subscribed so far.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Setting sail from the busy port of Plymouth in Devon, the tall ship Pelican of London takes young…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":484012,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[49,48,295,66],"class_list":{"0":"post-484011","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-environment","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-environment","11":"tag-science"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/484011","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=484011"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/484011\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/484012"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=484011"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=484011"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=484011"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}