SeaKeepers South Pacific and Mike Golding OBE present at Vanuatu Yacht Club engagement

Overview

The International SeaKeepers Society's Director of South Pacific, Melissa White, recently visited Port Vila, Vanuatu from the 27th to the 30th of May to meet with DISCOVERY Yacht Traverse and owners Mike and Andrea Golding.

On arrival we were greeted by the British High Commissioner, Nicolette Brent MBE, who made us feel very welcome. Nicolette had previously arranged a speaking engagement at the Vanuatu Cruising Yacht Club. The event was attended by over 20 experienced sailors who were eager to hear from Mike Golding OBE.

SeaKeepers kicked off the event by presenting on who SeaKeepers is, our DISCOVERY Yacht program, including scientist led expeditions and citizen science projects. Next, Mike shared his journey from his past racing career and how it led to him and Andrea to purchasing Traverse and embarking on a once in a lifetime cruise around the world. He spoke about their current involvement in citizen science through participating in seafloor mapping with Seabed2030, microplastic sampling with the National Oceanography Center and eDNA collection with Citizens of the Sea. Mike also shared their experience in their first scientist-led expedition which took place in the Yasawa islands, Fiji with Manta Project Fiji where they hosted scientist Rob McFarlane to conduct oceanic manta ray surveys. Dr. Christina Shaw, CEO of Vanuatu Environmental Science Society, spoke about current science opportunities and the need for involvement from the community and vessels to assist with environmental issues and species surveys. From this event we received new applications for vessels to join our DISCOVERY Yacht fleet.