Sponsored Teen Research Trip

Are you passionate about our marine environment? Would you like to join an adventure off Scotland’s west coast this summer?

Over the past two decades, more than a thousand people have joined our research vessel Silurian. The live-aboard expeditions run from Silurian welcome people to explore the west coast of Scotland while contributing to conservation. How? By collecting important data on whales, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks. The data feeds into a massive database held by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust and is used by Government, policy makers, Universities and other researchers. The data is used to improve our understanding of the different species in our seas, the challenges they face and how to better protect them.

We have a very special opportunities for a lucky individual from Scotland, aged 16 or 17, to join us on board Silurian this August to participate in a research expedition FREE OF CHARGE! This is a fantastic opportunity to have the experience of a lifetime, while gaining valuable experience and contributing to marine research and conservation.

Expedition Details

DATE: Sunday 04 August at 6pm - Saturday 10 August at 9am

AGE: You MUST be 16 or 17 years old at the time of the trip

LOCATION: This trip starts and ends in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull.
(Travel costs to and from Tobermory will need to be organised and paid for by you).

ROUTE: Each survey route is decided by the Skipper and Science Officer during the voyage, based on local weather conditions.
Seven day surveys from Tobermory can allow for the exploration of seas around the Southern Hebrides (Islay, Jura, Colonsay, Gigha), the Argyll Islands (Mull, Coll and Tiree) or the Small Isles (Muck, Eigg, Canna and Rum).

DESCRIPTION: Your expedition starts in Tobermory, where you will receive all the training necessary to become marine mammal field scientists for the week. After you’ve settled in and all the training is complete (including how to use the toilet!), we set sail on our expedition. Each day, travelling between different locations, we will undertake visual and acoustic surveys, also collecting data on birds, boats, and marine litter. In the evenings there will be an opportunity to venture ashore and explore, as well as games and other activities. We will be living, eating and sleeping on board and all duties will be shared - so you will be expected to help with the cooking and domestic duties - don’t worry our excellent crew will be on hand to help.

You don’t need to have any sailing or scientific experience to join the expedition. But what you do need is an adventurous spirit, a desire to take positive action to help our oceans, as well as being happy to be part of an expedition team, working and living in close quarters on the yacht. This is an expedition in Scottish waters, so you should be prepared to potentially meet some foul weather. We will provide you with warm, waterproof sailing and safety equipment, but you should be in the mindset that this isn’t a sunbathing on deck kind of cruise.

Please CLICK HERE to read an expedition itinerary.

STANDARD ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: You must be able to…

• Follow verbal and visual instructions

• Enjoy being on a boat all day in all types of weather, tolerating long periods of time on deck

• Be comfortable to move around narrow passages and steep stairs on the boat

• Remain balanced and agile to cope with the constantly varying motions of the vessel, including clipping yourself to safety lines and harnesses

• Observe small dorsal fins that are located at long distances and hear high frequency calls to undertake acoustic monitoring

• Comfortably remain focused for at least one hour at a time to collect visual data

• Be prepared to wear heavy-duty waterproofs, a life jacket and harness at all times on deck

INCLUDED IN THE SPONSORED PLACE:

• Accommodation for the expedition - all bedding is provided

• All meals during the expedition

• All fees relating to the expedition i.e. marina fees, fuel, Skipper and crew (x3)

• Safety equipment including life jackets and sailing waterproofs - please CLICK HERE to see a kit list of what we advise you to bring.

• All training and equipment for the scientific survey

• NOT INCLUDED is your travel to and from Tobermory, as well as travel insurance

How to apply

We are looking to find someone who would really benefit from the experience of being aboard Silurian, working as a member of the crew and contributing to the research. You must be a full time resident in Scotland to apply.

You will need to have a real interest in marine conservation and science; as well as enjoying working as part of a team and getting involved in all elements of life on board.

You will need to provide the name of a referee who knows you well; this referee must be a member of staff at your School or College (a course leader or tutor for example) or it could be someone you know (just not a family member).

Look at our website and in particular, read about Silurian (https://hwdt.org/silurian).

Once you’ve done all this and you feel excited about the idea – tell us why you would benefit by completing the form below.

We will review all applications and will shortlist applicants that will benefit the most from this opportunity. The winners will then be randomly selected from the shortlist of applicants.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Friday 14 June at noon

WINNER ANNOUNCED: Friday 28 June

Application Form for Sponsored Place

PRIVACY POLICY
By submitting this form you agree to HWDT’s privacy policy, which can be viewed here: https://hwdt.org/privacy-policy.
We are requesting personal details, in order to support us to prioritise applications that would most benefit.
This information will be retained for a maximum of six months, after which it will be deleted.
If you would like to be contacted about future opportunities, please tick the box above and we will add your name and e-mail address to our mailing list. If you have any questions about your data please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I win?

You will be notified by email. You can then jump up and down with excitement! We will send you loads more details about the expedition and a Participant Form to complete. Once that’s all complete and confirmed, then it will be all about getting ready for an amazing adventure!

What if I can’t make the dates for the expedition?

Unfortunately this opportunity is for the specific expedition dates above. If you aren’t able to make these dates you can head to our website and see details of other expeditions that might suit you. 

Do I need to be an expert sailor or have any experience of being on a boat?

No, the expert crew on board will take care of the boat and show you everything that you need to know if you want to build your sailing skills as well as saving the ocean.

Do you cater for specific diets on board?

Yes, we have welcomed lots of people with specific dietary requirements on board before, there hasn’t been one that we’ve not managed to accommodate.

Will I have to share a cabin?

Silurian is kitted out with three participant cabins, each with berths for two people (2 are bunk bed style and 1 is side-by-side). We try and accommodate same-sex participants when allocating cabins, however this might not always be possible and, on occasion, males and females have had to share a cabin. If you are really uncomfortable with this, we will take that into account and make arrangements to suit.

Can I use this opportunity for my Gold Duke of Edinburgh residential?

Yes, most definitely - this trip offers the perfect opportunity for the residential element of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Who should I contact if I have any trouble with my application?

Please contact Morven Summers or alternatively call our office on 01688 302620.