- DISCOVERY Yacht Unbridled
Alaskan WhaleSETI Mission with DISCOVERY Yacht Unbridled
- June 22, 2025, and August 15, 2025
- Juneau, Alaska
Project Overview
Dr. Sharpe’s ongoing work in the region since the late 1980’s focuses on understanding the seasonal movements, foraging behavior, and prey-associated indicators of humpback whales in Frederick Sound and surrounding channels. During multiple expeditions aboard Unbridled, Dr. Sharpe conducted visual whale surveys, shared ecological context and conservation challenges with guests, and assessed localized whale activity patterns to inform his broader research program. These engagements also enabled the scientist to maintain critical survey continuity during a mobile field season spanning Angoon, Warm Springs Bay, and Five Finger Lighthouse.
Application
The Unbridled team provided at-sea observation platforms, tender support, and logistical transport that enhanced Dr. Sharpe’s ability to monitor whale distribution across multiple basins. These activities strengthened the region’s long-term datasets on humpback whale ecology and improved readiness for any emergent entanglement events post-training.
Expedition Summary
On June 22 and August 15, 2025, The International SeaKeepers Society supported a series of collaborative research sailings in Southeast Alaska aboard DISCOVERY Yacht Unbridled. Marine ecologist Dr. Fred Sharpe partnered with the Unbridled crew throughout the summer field season to advance whale distribution monitoring, assist with disentanglement preparedness following NOAA training, and facilitate the movement of scientific equipment and personnel across the remote waterways of the Alexander Archipelago.
Location
Southeast Alaska (Angoon, Warm Springs Bay, Frederick Sound, Five Finger Lighthouse, Juneau)
Duration of Project
Ongoing approximately 30+ years (since late 1980s)
Research Team
Dr. Fred Sharpe, Principal Investigator
Photo Gallery
