Dear All,
Firstly, a very happy new year to everyone. I do hope that 2023 has gotten off to a good start for each and every one of you.
I am very pleased to announce that the 2023 ORCA Ferry Survey applications are now open!
We have surveys confirmed with our longstanding partners Brittany Ferries, Caledonian MacBrayne, DFDS, Isles of Scilly Travel and NorthLink on existing ORCA survey routes and on some new survey routes! Applications are open for the following routes:
Brittany Ferries
- Poole – Cherbourg
- Portsmouth – Caen
- Plymouth – Roscoff
- Plymouth – Santander (Bay of Biscay)
Caledonian MacBrayne
- Ardrossan - Campbeltown
- Mallaig - Lochboisdale
- Oban - Castlebay
- Oban - Coll - Tiree - Colonsay
- Uig - Lochmaddy - Tarbert
- Ullapool - Stornoway
DFDS
- Dover - Calais
- Newhaven - Dieppe
Isles of Scilly Travel
- Penzance – St Mary’s (Isles of Scilly)
NorthLink
- Aberdeen - Lerwick (Shetland)
Full details of the surveys, how to apply and what is required of ORCA volunteers on board can be found on the Applying for Surveys page on the Surveyor Network.
Please note applications will close at midnight on Sunday 12th February 2023 and we will keep you all informed of the progress of the survey teams via the Surveyor Network News page.
We are continuing to liaise with our ferry partners to provide more surveying opportunities for you, such as the Newcastle-Amsterdam route, and as soon as more routes and dates are confirmed, we will let you know.
If you have not yet purchased your ORCA Marine Mammal Surveyor polo shirt, you can do this via our online shop. You will not be permitted access to the bridge without wearing your ORCA polo shirt. Please note that you need to be logged into the Surveyor Network for the polo shirt to be visible on the shop, as these are exclusively for our Marine Mammal Surveyors.
Saga Cruise Survey Team Update
The Saga cruise teams are being compiled at present, and if you are offered a place, you will receive an email from us with details of the cruise. We have currently finalised the Saga teams for up until August 2023 and will be working on allocating the rest of the cruises in the coming weeks. We will continue to keep all Surveyors updated on the progress of the Saga team allocation via the Surveyor Network News.
We look forward to your ferry survey applications.
With very best wishes,
Lucy
Lucy Babey | Head of Science and Conservation | Deputy Director | ORCA