The Brittany Ferries, Caledonian MacBrayne, Isles of Scilly Travel, DFDS and NorthLink Ferries survey applications are now open for surveys taking place in September, October and November 2026.
Applications are now open for the following routes for September, October and November:
Brittany Ferries
Poole – Cherbourg
Portsmouth – Caen
Portsmouth – St Malo
Portsmouth – Santander
Plymouth – Roscoff
Plymouth – Santander
Caledonian MacBrayne
Kennacraig – Port Askaig
Mallaig – Lochboisdale
Oban – Castlebay
Oban – Coll – Tiree – Colonsay
Uig – Lochmaddy – Tarbert
Ullapool – Stornoway
Isles of Scilly Travel
Penzance – St Mary’s (Isles of Scilly)
NorthLink Ferries
Aberdeen – Lerwick (Shetland)
DFDS
Dover – Calais
Newhaven – Dieppe
Newcastle – Amsterdam
Our ferry survey applications are staggered throughout the year to provide greater flexibility and ensure more opportunities for all our dedicated volunteers to take part in our ferry‑based surveys. Applications for winter surveys on select routes in December, January and February will open later in the Autumn. In addition, the November survey dates with Caledonian MacBrayne and Brittany Ferries have not yet been confirmed, so applications for these routes will also be included in the next round of applications later in the Autumn.
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 July and we will keep you all informed of the progress of the survey teams via the Surveyor Network News page.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, unfortunately, we are unable to individually email all unsuccessful applicants for each survey, but we will keep everyone updated on the progress of survey allocations via the Surveyor Network News page each month.
Please note that all surveyors wishing to take part in surveys to European countries must have at least 6 months validity on their passport on the date of departure. The date of issue must also be less than 10 years before arrival.
Survey Allocation
We are currently prioritising everyone who has not yet taken part in a ferry survey in 2026, so if you have already applied for surveys this year and have not yet been offered a place, you are very much within the group we will be focusing on as we work through the next round of applications.
To give us the best chance of placing you on a survey, please apply for as many surveys as possible across a wide range of routes and dates, as this flexibility makes it much easier for us to allocate you a survey place.
Marine Mammal Surveyor Form
All surveyors must have completed a Marine Mammal Surveyor Form which can be found here. Please note this form needs to be completed every year, and when any details change.
We will be unable to offer you a survey place if you have not submitted and up-to-date Marine Mammal Surveyor Form this year.
ORCA Polo Shirts
If you have not yet purchased your ORCA Marine Mammal Surveyor polo shirt, you can do this directly from the Shirtworks website. You will not be permitted access to the bridge without wearing your ORCA polo shirt. For information on how to purchase your ORCA polo shirt please visit the Applying for Surveys page of the Surveyor Network. Contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions about the ordering process, please do not contact Shirtworks directly.
Please remember that Marine Mammal Surveyors must not wear their ORCA uniform when travelling as passengers, in their own time, on any ferry operated by a company that ORCA works in partnership with.
Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to receiving your ferry survey applications.