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The Golding’s Voyage
Voyage Overview:
Beginning in April 2024, The Goldings and their crew (Will Jarman and Will Ekin) are sailing from New Zealand to Fiji, Vanuatu, Torres, Darwin, East Timor Island in the Flores Seas, Bali, Christmas Island, Cocos Keeling, Mauritius, Reunion, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Walvis Bay, St Helena, Recife, The Caribbean, Bermuda, The Azores, The Canaries, Gibraltar, and will finally return to Grande Motte in early Summer 2025. Their journey will contribute to scientific advancement as they actively engage in Science-at-Sea and Citizen Science activities, showcasing their commitment to marine science research as part of SeaKeepers’ DISCOVERY Yacht Programme.
Mike Golding OBE says:
“Our passage across the Pacific and Indian Oceans provides a fantastic opportunity to support the work of many scientific researchers involved in ocean conservation. Through our partnership with SeaKeepers, we are delighted to provide practical support - collecting environmental DNA, water samples for measuring microplastics, tracking the seabed and hosting scientists onboard Traverse - enabling access to remote ocean areas to observe the behaviours and habitats of incredible sea mammals.”
At-Sea and Citizen Science Initiatives
As ambassadors for SeaKeepers’ DISCOVERY Yacht Program, the Golding’s are participating in various Scientist-Led
Expeditions and Citizen Science initiatives to support the research of:
While travelling across the globe through coastal and oceanic regions, Traverse will record depth measurements to contribute to the Nippon Foundation- GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project, a formally endorsed Decade Action project of the UN Ocean Decade. This collaborative project encourages the global vessel network to become citizen scientists, taking bathymetric readings as they travel from one location to another, with the aim of mapping the entire ocean floor by 2030. As Traverse is journeying through remote regions that are infrequently travelled, she will contribute crucial data to this project, improving our understanding of the seafloor and the bathymetric features that are present in largely understudied regions.
In late Spring as part of their expedition planning, Mike and Andrea Golding attended a session at the National Oceanography Centre to train in sampling protocols for the Microplastic Sampling Project. Here, they were introduced to the research group, strategised about their upcoming expedition, and learnt more about the project itself, which aims to tackle pivotal questions surrounding microplastics in the ocean, addressing their fate, distribution and ecological impacts.
As they journey across the Indian Ocean, The Goldings and their crew will use a neuston net to collect water samples that the research team can analyse in their UK labs to learn more about plastic pollution in this remote location. Their unique route provides the NOC team with the opportunity to sample more distant areas that they would not have the capacity to without Traverse and SeaKeepers’ support.
Beginning her journey in New Zealand, Traverse travelled up to Fiji to explore the Pacific Islands. During this voyage, scientist Rob McFarlane, Project Manta Fiji, joined The Goldings and their crew to investigate a largely understudied group of oceanic manta rays that live near the Yasawa Islands. By conducting drone surveys of an elusive oceanic manta population, these researchers had the opportunity to learn more about this endangered species in an area that was previously difficult to access. They recorded footage at three different locations in an attempt to observe manta movements, however, no footage successfully captured these breathtaking individuals. Although no mantas were observed, this footage still provides valuable data to the scientists, informing them of manta ray distributions and habitat use in the region. Traverse provided the scientists with a platform to enhance their current research by expanding their study reach to geographic locations that would have been inaccessible otherwise.
Prior to commencing their expedition, The Goldings and their crew attended the Citizens of the Sea workshop to learn more about environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling methods using SeaKeepers’ funded TorpeDNA. Citizens of the Sea has developed new technologies to enable offshore yachts to collect eDNA at fast cruising speeds. Their project aims to discover more about New Zealand’s marine biodiversity by using cutting-edge genomic technologies to analyse the cells that species lose naturally as they travel through the ocean.
By collecting multiple samples a day between New Zealand and Fiji, The Goldings and their crew contributed to vital research that will help to address some of the ocean’s most urgent questions, enhancing our understanding of Pacific Ocean ecosystems and global biodiversity.
Community Engagement
As ambassadors for SeaKeepers DISCOVERY Yacht Program, the Goldings are sharing their experiences and meeting with local communities, inspiring the yachting community to support marine research, conservation and education.
Traverse arrived in Port Vila, Vanuatu on May 27th, and was welcomed by the British High Commissioner, H.E. Nicolette Brent, and Director of SeaKeepers South Pacific, Melissa White. Here, Mike attended a welcome event at the Vanuatu Yacht Club, where he shared stories of his past racing career, and his unique experiences as a SeaKeepers DISCOVERY Yacht. While in the area, The Golding's continued their Citizen Science work by reporting wildlife sightings through multiple platforms that will help the understanding of species in Vanuatu. Through speaking with the local yachting community, Mike Golding OBE, alongside SeaKeepers’ Melissa White, and Dr Christina Shaw, CEO of Vanuatu Environmental Science Society, inspired the sailors to become better ocean stewards and make positive changes to more sustainably use the local marine environment, protecting their unique species and fragile habitats for future generations.
The 4.50am call to prayer has started on land, and on the ferry moored behind us! It is a tough reality of the Islamic faith that prayer, 5 times a day, starts this early.
Our experience within this tight knit Bajau community has been incredible… Initially greeted by the local fisherman, we were then welcomed into the home of octopus ‘data collector’, Sunarti, who with her sister and other village women, prepared an amazing spread for us on Monday evening. Freshly caught octopus satay and red snapper were cooked, outside in the dark, on an open fire between the stilted wood and bamboo family homes. Inside huge bowls of steamed rice, rice cakes, locally grown sea spinach, soy/chilli dip and snake fruits were spread across the large floor mat. With the fish served, we squatted around, as best we could - our long-legged crew all facing a challenge! One of the younger data collectors giggled at the chance of a photo with 3 Western boys and everyone excitedly gathered for a group shot at the end of the meal.
An hour later and we were sat on another mat, in another village house for a meeting with the Pelita - Brotherhood of Fishermen, and a plan was made for the following day.
Tuesday - as the full moon set in the west and the sun rose in the east, the crater of the Gunung Rinjani volcano became visible. Shortly after, the put-putting noise of an engine and smell of fuel wafted across the water, and our lift arrived. Ten smiley faces peered out from beneath the roof of a double outrigger. A swift transfer across and we were off to the mangrove lagoon. Like a maze, we weaved our way through to the centre and the quiet ‘meeting place’ of the local fisherman. The occasional noise of a nesting crane broke the silence before we slipped into the water to snorkel for sea grapes - a local delicacy that once plucked, washed, and served, look like green caviar…
An hour passed quickly, and back on-board warm corn on the cob was served. It was now time to move on and take a trip ashore to the top of the peak.
It was hard to keep a footing on the dry, gravelly slope but with care we made it - still wet in our snorkelling attire! Looking down from the top revealed an amazing view of the mangrove swamps, the reefs and the many islands. The sea glistened in the sun, revealing a multitude of blues - turquoise to deep. Another photo opportunity and a careful scramble down - pulling at dry tufts of grass to stop an imminent fall. Safely back on board, we enjoyed cool coconut milk - the top expertly sliced off by Mahari, the lead fisherman, with his machete. Then silver bowls of fresh pineapple were passed back and forth along the 30ft outrigger, and we were off again to snorkel for octopus.
The octopus fisherman led the way, swimming so fast against the choppy waves, it was difficult to keep up, and diving so deep as they dangled their fake octopus lure beneath them. It is hard to believe these young men fish this way daily. Swimming and snorkelling alone, they tow their small outrigger behind while dangling their lure below, then diving deep to catch their prey by hand. Time passed but sadly with all of us splashing behind, no octopus emerged.
It was a bad day for business.
Maintaining the health of these reefs and the stock levels of octopus is all part of the conservation work initiated by NGO JARI and the Pelita. It was clear to see a strong relationship of trust and respect has developed. With the ‘data collectors’ tallying the daily catch - recording numbers, locations, and size of the octopus, the 140 fishermen can manage the reefs they fish and identify those to temporarily ‘fallow’. Simple processes, together with knowledge and understanding has brought other benefits too - jobs for women within the marine community, appointment of enthusiastic seabed ambassadors, understanding of the impact of rubbish on the health of the sea and interestingly a community ‘savings’ system to assist with managing finances. The work of JARI in this community is inspiring. It is truly humbling to see the approach that Hani, her husband Boen and their small team has taken to live and work alongside these Bajau people in the most gentle and respectful way.
After another wonderful, traditional meal on a remote island, we crossed to Pulau Nusa and went ashore to plant a tree - a final gesture and acknowledgment of the importance of maintaining the health and well-being of our precious ecosystems.
Golding’s route by Google My Map
Follow Us:
Keep up with Traverse’s voyage by following SeaKeepers on Facebook.
Track The Golding’s voyage by following Mike Golding Yacht Racing on Facebook.