We are pleased to announce that Saga have once again offered ORCA Survey Teams places on board their cruise ships for the 2025 season. There are 12 itineraries taking place on the Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure, with the first cruise departing in January 2025.
Saga cruises cater predominantly for individuals aged 50 years and over, however ORCA has special dispensation so our survey teams can include people from 21 years of age and above. Teams of four ORCA Marine Mammal Surveyors have been invited on board Saga’s ships since 2007 and since then we have built up a reputation for enhancing the enjoyment of guests' trips and their understanding of marine wildlife through delivering presentations, running deck-watches whilst surveying, and generally being on hand to talk about any wildlife seen on the trips. Many guests book on specific cruises just because an ORCA team is going to be on board.
From 2025 onwards ORCA teams on Saga cruises will be conducting bridge based distance sampling surveys as part of their role on board. These surveys will be taking place on select itineraries, when sailing through Important Marine Mammal Areas and high risk vessel strike areas.
Full details of the cruises, 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 20th October 2024. Applications submitted after the deadline may still be logged but will not be accepted.
ORCA Ferry Surveys 2024
All places for ferry surveys taking place in 2024 have now been allocated and confirmed. 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 for the remainder of the survey season, and offered a survey place at short notice on a route that you have applied for.
We will shortly be commencing our planning for the 2025 ferry season, and applications for these surveys will be open in the New Year. We will continue to keep you updated on the progress of this via the Surveyor Network News pages.
As always, a huge thank you to each and every one of you for your continued support, and we look forward to receiving your applications.