ORCA

ORCA Ferry Survey Applications for September-November 2025 are Now Open!

Share:

The Brittany Ferries, Isles of Scilly Travel, DFDS, Caledonian MacBrayne and NorthLink Ferries survey applications are now open for the surveys taking place in September, October and November 2025.

We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the following routes for September, October and November:

Brittany Ferries:

  • Poole – Cherbourg

  • Portsmouth – Caen

  • Plymouth – Roscoff

  • Plymouth – Santander

Isles of Scilly Travel:

  • Penzance – St Mary’s (Isles of Scilly)

NorthLink Ferries:

  • Aberdeen – Lerwick (Shetland)

DFDS:

  • Dover – Calais

  • Newcastle – Amsterdam

  • Newhaven – Dieppe

Caledonian MacBrayne:

  • Mallaig – Lochboisdale

  • Oban – Castlebay

  • Oban – Colonsay

  • Uig – Lochmaddy – Tarbert

  • Ullapool – Stornoway


This year our ferry survey applications have been staggered throughout the year, to enable more flexibility and opportunities for all our dedicated volunteers to take an active role in our ferry-based surveys. This will be the final round of survey applications for 2025 with surveys for March 2026 onwards opening in the new year.

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 13th 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.


ORCA Ferry Surveys in June, July and August

We can now confirm that all ferry survey places for June, July and August have been filled. Due to the high volume of applications received, unfortunately, we have been unable to individually email all unsuccessful applicants for each survey. You may still be notified of any cancellations and offered a survey place at short notice on a route that you have applied for.

If you have applied for ORCA surveys in 2025 but are yet to be offered a place on a survey, you will be prioritised for surveys in September, October and November. Please apply for all of the survey dates you are available for, on as many different routes as possible. This will help us to place you on a survey in the coming months


Marine Mammal Surveyor Form

All surveyors must have completed a Marine Mammal Surveyor Form which can be found here, for applications to be considered. Please note this form needs to be completed every year, and when any details change.


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.

It has come to our attention that Marine Mammal Surveyors have been offered access to crew areas and discounts on food when wearing their ORCA polo shirts as passengers on ships that we conduct our ferry surveys on. If you chose to wear your ORCA polo shirt as a passenger and are not taking part in an organised ORCA survey, please do not accept offers from staff to access restricted areas such as the bridge.


Saga Cruise Surveys - Additional Cruise Opportunity for 2025

We are pleased to announce that Saga have offered an ORCA Survey Team places on board an additional cruise in 2025. The Northern Lights and Festive Delights cruise will be taking place on board the Spirit of Discovery later in the year. Full details of the cruise, 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 13th July 2025. Applications submitted after the deadline may still be logged but will not be accepted.


Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to receiving your ferry survey and Saga cruise applications.


Previous