We're busy preparing for a collaborative 1,100 nautical mile expedition hosted by Free Range Ocean aboard 50ft sailing vessel FREERANGER will depart Whangārei, Aotearoa New Zealand bound for Nukuʻalofa, Tonga, subject to a suitable weather window around 8 June 2026. (updated departure - the weather has not been behaving!) The expedition will support pioneering research by two New Zealand-based marine conservation initiatives, Manta Watch Aotearoa New Zealand and Citizens of the Sea. The voyage will follow part of a newly emerging migration corridor for endangered oceanic manta rays between New Zealand and the Southwest Pacific Islands, helping researchers investigate a concerning pattern of manta ray deaths south of the Tonga identified through satellite tagging. Picture: Manta Watch New Zealand Along the way, the crew will also collect environmental DNA (eDNA) samples to help build a wider picture of biodiversity across these remote ocean waters. Manta Watch Aotearoa New Zealand shines a light on the lives of endangered oceanic manta rays through research, tagging and community sightings. Over the past six years, Manta Watch NZ’s small research team led by Lydia Green has helped uncover groundbreaking data about this lesser-known manta population, including evidence that Aotearoa serves as an important feeding and breeding ground for oceanic manta rays. These animals biannually migrate between Aotearoa New Zealand and the Southwest Pacific Islands, travelling further and diving deeper than any other manta population are known to do - redefining what was thought possible for the species. But the discoveries have also revealed a growing crisis. Using satellite tagging technology, researchers have identified a concerning pattern of manta ray deaths occurring south of Tonga. The expedition will follow the migration route travelled by Aotearoa New Zealand’s oceanic manta population to investigate what threats the animals are encountering and why mortalities occur as they traverse multi-jurisdictional fisheries and high seas regions. The research will contribute to ‘blue corridor’ initiatives, which aim to create greater protections for migratory ocean species. Researchers hope the expedition will strengthen the scientific case for international marine protections across the Southwest Pacific and help prevent the extinction of one of the ocean’s most enigmatic species. “Not many people know that we have Oceanic Mantas in New Zealand,” says Manta Watch NZ founder and marine biologist Lydia Green. “These seven-metre giants have been quietly moving through our waters for generations. But we are seeing signs that these incredible animals are dying outside of New Zealand waters. We need to understand what is happening out there and what is driving these deaths before it is too late.” Picture: Citizens of the Sea Citizens of the Sea is building a global picture of ocean biodiversity through sailor-collected eDNA samples. By collecting tiny traces of genetic material shed by marine life into the water, the project is helping reveal what lives beneath the surface of some of the world’s most remote and under-sampled ocean regions. For sailors, the method is simple but powerful: collect a water sample on passage, filter it using a field kit, and return it for laboratory analysis. For researchers, the resulting data can provide a snapshot of biodiversity across vast bluewater routes that are rarely surveyed by conventional science. During the expedition, the crew of FREERANGER will collect eDNA samples along the route from New Zealand to Tonga, contributing to a growing dataset that can help identify species presence, biodiversity patterns and potential ecological change across the Southwest Pacific. “This season we have a record number of crews collecting samples from across the Southwest Pacific. It’s growing year on year and the project has become a flagship example of people-powered ocean science: practical, scalable and designed for participation by the cruising community,” says Citizens of the Sea Operations Manager Erin Bomati. “By enabling sailors to gather meaningful scientific samples while already at sea, we’re helping turn bluewater passages into opportunities to expand ocean knowledge in places where research vessels cannot always go.” Picture: Jadamama Crew 2025 Citizens of the Sea The ocean remains vastly under-observed, especially across remote bluewater routes where marine life, island nations and sailing vessels are already connected by movement. S/V FREERANGER, the 50ft sailing vessel owned and operated by Free Range Ocean founders Duncan Copeland and Larissa Clark, was connected with the manta research team through The International SeaKeepers Society’s DISCOVERY Programme, which links privately owned vessels with participating scientific initiatives as part of its wider mission to advance oceanographic research at sea. For this expedition, FREERANGER is being used as a shared platform to bring researchers, conservation initiatives, storytellers and sailors together — gathering useful data, sharing knowledge and demonstrating how ocean passages can contribute to real-world marine protection. Free Range Ocean also hosts a free, open-access Ocean Citizen Science Directory, helping sailors, coastal communities and other ocean users find credible projects they can support around the world. During the passage, the crew will contribute to additional ocean citizen science initiatives, including offshore observations and other wildlife observation reporting. “This expedition brings science, storytelling and seamanship together aboard one moving platform,” said Larissa Clark, co-founder of Free Range Ocean and first mate aboard FREERANGER. “It shows how a relatively small ocean-going sailing vessel can help connect local conservation initiatives, marine researchers, storytellers and communities - and turn a passage into something useful for the ocean. We hope it proves valuable for ocean research and also encourages more sailors to see their own voyages as opportunities to contribute.” “As skipper, my first responsibility is to get the team safely along this route, but the wider purpose is to help document a part of the ocean where important things are happening and very few people are watching,” said Duncan Copeland, FREERANGER skipper and Free Range Ocean co-founder. “After more than 20 years working in international fisheries monitoring and enforcement, I know how difficult it can be to understand what is happening across remote, multi-jurisdictional waters. If oceanic manta rays are dying south of Tonga, as the tagging data suggests, better information is urgently needed about the conditions and pressures they may be encountering there. Sailing vessels cannot replace dedicated research ships, but they can add huge value by putting experienced eyes, useful tools and credible observations into places that are otherwise rarely seen.” Environmental scientist and award-winning photographer and filmmaker Sam Campbell will join the crew as expedition storyteller, documenting the science, scale and human experience of the journey and helping translate the research into visual stories for public, media and partner audiences. The expedition is recognised as a SeaKeepers DISCOVERY Programme expedition and is connected to Free Range Ocean’s partnership with Island Cruising Pacific Rally 2026, which is helping bring citizen science and practical environmental guidance to cruising boats heading into the Pacific Islands. It forms part of Free Range Ocean’s wider UN Ocean Decade-endorsed work to increase participation in ocean citizen science. “Private vessels represent an untapped resource for advancing marine science and conservation efforts. When vessel owners partner with research organizations, their boats become floating laboratories that can access remote areas and contribute valuable data to our understanding of ocean health.”- Melissa White, Director of South Pacific for The International SeaKeepers Society. The voyage is expected to be at sea during UN World Ocean Day on 8 June 2026, putting its message of ocean action into practice in the bluewater itself. The expedition is made possible through volunteer effort, in-kind contributions and support from Another World Adventures, This Chapter PR and the Manta Watch New Zealand crowdfunding community. The 1,100 nautical mile voyage to Nuku’alofa, Tonga, via Minerva Reef, is the first leg of Bluewater Pathways 2026, a Free Range Ocean expedition series that explores the living routes that connect ocean life, island nations and citizen science across the Southwest Pacific. After Tonga, FREERANGER will continue through the Southwest Pacific, with further Bluewater Pathways activity being planned for Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Australia between May and November 2026. For more information contact us on: hello@freerangeocean.org Read more about the plans here: https://www.freerangeocean.org/post/south-pacific-expedition-2026-beneath-the-surface-of-a-bluewater-corridor

Spending time at sea means you get to observe things you wouldn’t normally see. Over the past year, my family and I have sailed across the Pacific - from Mexico to New Zealand via the Pitcairn Islands, French Polynesia, American Samoa, Samoa, Wallis, and Fiji. While much of this voyage has centred on family life at sea and our work supporting ocean citizen science initiatives (see www.freerangeocean.org), it’s been impossible to completely take off my fisheries hat. Opportunities to observe at-sea fishing operations up close are rare. Doing so 1,000 nautical miles from land, even more so. What follows is a set of observations gathered along 13,000 nautical miles of Pacific Ocean crossing, at sea and in ports. I’ve intentionally kept commentary light. They are shared primarily as they were experienced - but I’d welcome further discussion with anyone working in or thinking about these spaces. 1. The Squid Fleet: Presence, Absence, and Evasion We encountered the Chinese high seas squid fleet during our initial Pacific crossing from Mexico to the Pitcairn Islands - skirting the edges of the well-known squid fishing grounds west of the Galápagos. In total, we physically sighted three vessels, with around ten more appearing on radar or AIS. Only around one in three vessels appeared to be transmitting on AIS. This aligns with reports from other sailing vessels crossing at the same time. A lot of work has been done using AIS to track and estimate this fleet, but these observations potentially raise questions about how complete the maritime domain picture really is, and in turn how big this fleet really is. Avoidance behaviour was very consistent. At night, vessels would immediately extinguish lights upon detecting our presence, pause (presumably to retrieve gear), and then move away. During the day, they simply altered course to keep distance. They definitely did not want to be approached. At first, I wondered if this was somehow specific to us - perhaps they were googling our vessel, saw my name and decided to keep clear? Ah well, it’s good to have that kind of hubris knocked out of you once in a while! It wasn’t me - other sailing vessels reported exactly the same behaviour. Another observation: the smell. At one point we were 12 nautical miles downwind from a vessel, and the odour of rotting squid was almost overwhelming (particularly for those already feeling queasy from the rough conditions…). Around all the discussions I have ever seen or taken part in on crew working conditions, I’ve never seen this particular aspect of the working environment on squid boats raised - but it must be absolutely horrendous on board. 2. Fishing Waste If there is one thing that is impossible to ignore across the Pacific, it’s fishing waste. This becomes most stark on remote islands. For example, we made landfall on Henderson Island in the Pitcairn Group after 22 days at sea from Mexico - a place that should feel entirely removed from humanity. It does, until you step ashore. The beaches are covered in the debris the island is unfortunately infamous for. And a significant proportion of that debris is clearly fishing-related: lines, hooks, nets, buoys - in all various stages of degradation. Alongside this was a lot of older, weathered plastic waste of various types, likely from land-based sources. But there was also material that appeared to be very recently thrown away. Food packaging, bottles, even entire bags of garbage - much of it with origins traceable to East Asia - was everywhere. It is, of course, difficult to attribute origin with certainty. But while we were far from major shipping lanes there, it’s not so far from the fishing fleets. 3. Longlines: Economics and AIS Two things stood out most in relation to tuna longline operations. The first observation relates to inactivity. In ports across the region - particularly American Samoa, Samoa, and Fiji - large numbers of longliners are sitting idle. Tied up at wharves or anchored in clusters, many appear to have been inactive for extended periods. Conversations with crews and local officials pointed to one reason: economics. ‘It's not economical’ was a phrase repeated often. Fuel costs in particular seem to be a defining factor. The vessels still operating were predominantly flagged to China and Taiwan, with a smaller number of Fijian and South Korean vessels. Those not active were invariable registered elsewhere, with local or Vanuatu flags being most common. Best guess, backed up by a few limited conversations with crews and officials, is that this situation is related primarily to fuel subsidies, with those vessels whose flag states provide support still able to make the fishery work economically. The current global fuel crisis must be pushing this inequitable situation even further. The second observation is the common use of AIS for gear markers. Despite the 2024 ban, we observed AIS markers on set longlines extensively - particularly across the western Pacific around Samoa and Fiji, and on the way south to New Zealand. From a navigational perspective, this creates a cluttered and sometimes confusing picture, and many people not familiar with fishing activity don’t know whether they can go through or around these. More broadly, it offered a tangible sense of scale. One line we encountered stretched approximately 50 nautical miles (90km), with AIS markers at five-mile intervals — effectively spanning our entire course. Both beacons and the longliner itself frequently broadcast the same or very similar identity information, and on a chart plotter they all display as 'vessels'. For those unfamiliar with the phenomenon, it can be very unclear if these are vessels or not, and whether it is safe to pass between the beacons. 4. FADs: Ubiquitous, and Increasingly Visible Tuna Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) are everywhere. At sea, sailing vessels are encountering them frequently enough for them to become a regular topic of conversation - particularly in relation to navigational risk. More striking was their presence ashore. Transponders and FAD components are commonly found washed up on reefs, and sometimes they get collected up and end up in coastal communities. In French Polynesia, there are efforts underway to document these - though consistent reporting remains a challenge. There can be some initial confusion when discussing tuna FADs with local fishers, as in many islands governments have set up anchored FADs to support local fishing efforts. 5. Small-Scale Fishing and Reef Health: A Complex Picture Across the Pacific, small-scale fishing clearly remains fundamental - for food security, livelihoods, and cultural identity. There’s a broad diversity of methods: spearfishing, handlines, nets, traps. Reef health and fish abundance, based both on conversations and observation, vary considerably. One factor that stood out was ciguatera. In areas where it is prevalent, fishing pressure on reef species tends to be lower - and fish populations appeared correspondingly higher. While we did observe coral bleaching and reef damage from major cyclone events, overall reef health appeared most closely linked to human pressure and water temperature. Reefs closest to population centres, runoff, and tourism were consistently the most degraded. Those in cooler-water locations also showed greater resilience and diversity. The Gambier Islands stood out - cooler waters, low population, limited tourism, and high ciguatera incidence combining to create some of the healthiest reef systems we encountered. By contrast, reefs around Tahiti and Mo’orea showed clear signs of stress - warmer waters, larger populations, and cumulative pressure. Final Thoughts These are simply observations taken from the course of a single sailboat across the Pacific - but a small window into what’s happening far from shore or in local ports in that region. Of the several hundred private sailing vessels that crossed that ocean last year, I was the only crew member of any that we met that had any kind of fisheries background. Many people were making similar observations without necessarily having the background to record or interpret them in any way. There remains significant untapped potential to bring more sailing vessels into providing observations, helping to build a clearer picture of these remote spaces, something that I’ll look to work on in the coming months. If useful, I have a large number of photos documenting these encounters and would be happy to share or discuss any of these observations further.

We’ve spent the past 20 months sailing across the Pacific aboard sv FREERANGER with a simple idea at the heart of what we do: the ocean is vast, dynamic, and still deeply under-observed — and the more of us who are paying attention, the more we can understand and protect it. We’ve come to learn that oceanic manta rays sit right at the centre of that story. These extraordinary animals — reaching up to seven metres across — move vast distances each year, linking ecosystems, coastlines and communities. They are part of a much bigger Pacific story — moving through vast bluewater corridors that connect ecosystems, coastlines and communities. And yet, people still know remarkably little about oceanic manta rays — globally, and here in Aotearoa New Zealand, one of the most important parts of their migratory corridor. That gap in knowledge remains one of the biggest barriers to protecting them effectively. This is exactly the work of Manta Watch New Zealand — a small, deeply committed team building the country’s only dedicated oceanic manta ray research programme. Alongside their scientific work, they run a national citizen science observation programme (that you’ll find in our directory!), enabling sailors, fishers, divers and coastal communities to contribute sightings that form the backbone of what we know about these animals. From just a handful of records to now recording hundreds of sightings in a single season, that collective effort is beginning to reveal where oceanic manta rays travel, how they use these waters, and what protections they need. Over the past six years, Manta Watch NZ’s small research team has helped uncover groundbreaking data about this lesser-known manta population, including evidence that Aotearoa serves as an important feeding and breeding ground for Oceanic Manta Ray. Most impressively, we now know that these animals biannually migrate between New Zealand and the Southwest Pacific Islands. Travelling further and diving deeper than any other manta population are known to do - redefining what was thought possible for the species! But the discoveries have also revealed a growing crisis. Using satellite tagging technology, their researchers have identified a concerning pattern of manta ray deaths occurring south of Tonga. The upcoming expedition will follow the migration route travelled by New Zealand’s manta population to investigate what threats the animals are encountering as they traverse multijurisdictional and high seas fisheries. The Manta Watch NZ team are using the expedition to understand what is happening out there and what is driving these deaths before it is too late. The research will contribute to the WWF's Blue Corridor initiative, which aims to create greater protections for migratory ocean species. The Manta Watch NZ researchers hope the expedition will strengthen the scientific case for international marine protections across the Southwest Pacific and help prevent the extinction of one of the ocean’s most enigmatic species. Expanding the Picture: Citizens of the Sea Alongside this, we’ll also be contributing to Citizens of the Sea — an initiative rethinking how we observe life in the ocean at scale. For decades, the challenge has been simple: the ocean is too vast, and traditional research vessels too expensive to monitor at scale. But there are already thousands of vessels moving across it every day. Citizens of the Sea turns that reality into an opportunity. Using a small, custom-designed torpedo-shaped device towed behind the boat, we can collect environmental DNA samples in just a few minutes. Every litre of seawater contains traces of thousands of species — from microscopic plankton to whales — allowing scientists to detect life that is never seen. It’s a small act, but a powerful one. By equipping sailing vessels already crossing the Pacific, the project is building one of the largest distributed ocean monitoring networks in the world — turning passages at sea into opportunities for discovery. Taking It Offshore In May and June 2026, we’ll be bringing these ideas together at sea. As Freeranger sails north from New Zealand towards Tonga, we’ll be: joined on board by Lydia Green, founder and project director of Manta Watch Aotearoa New Zealand (MWNZ), as we follow and contribute to research along part of the oceanic manta ray migratory corridor in real time collecting eDNA samples as part of Citizens of the Sea — contributing to a global catalogue and deeper understanding of the marine life moving through this region continuing to contribute depth readings to SeaBed2030’s global effort to map the seabed reporting marine and birdlife sightings to global open-source databases using tools such as iNaturalist and Happy Whale and others. Together, we’ll explore how this corridor connects Aotearoa to the wider South Pacific — part of a much larger system shaped by species moving through vast bluewater pathways. Why It Matters This is what Free Range Ocean is here to do: connect people with credible, meaningful ways to contribute to ocean science — and to make that participation part of real journeys. Science doesn’t only happen on research vessels or in laboratories. It can also happen on passage — between sail changes, watch systems and the everyday routines of life at sea. Understanding the ocean depends on both dedicated expeditions and many people, in many places, contributing over time. It’s those combined observations that help us join the dots. And every observation counts. Inspired to take part? You can find all of these brilliant citizen science projects in our free, open-access Ocean Citizen Science Directory — alongside many more that you can take part in yourself, whether you’re on the beach, inshore, or offshore. Special Thanks: Free Range Ocean would like to extend special thanks to: SeaKeepers for introducing the team to Manta Watch New Zealand, a connection that has helped shape this Tonga expedition and its citizen science focus. FREERANGER is proud to be part of the SeaKeepers Discovery Yacht programme, which helps connect private vessel owners with researchers who need sea time, practical support and access to places that are often difficult to reach. Through SeaKeepers, FREERANGER has also been able to contribute to other ocean research initiatives, including neuston net research during the Pacific crossing and Seabed 2030, helping demonstrate the valuable role private sailing vessels can play in gathering observations and supporting science at sea. And, Island Cruising Pacific Rally for its partnership and support in helping connect cruising sailors with practical ways to have a positive environmental impact while voyaging through the Pacific Islands. Through the rally, we have been connected with Citizens of the Sea and have been able to share talks, resources and practical guidance on responsible cruising with the wider cruising community - from taking part in citizen science projects to making greener choices around vessel systems, provisioning and day-to-day operations. It is exactly the kind of collaborative, action-focused network that helps turn good intentions into meaningful participation across the bluewater sailing community. Follow along as we share the journey, the science, and what we’re learning along the way. Free Range Ocean (our new official Instagram channel) Behind the scenes with the Free Range Crew on Instagram Meet Lydia and Learn more about Manta Watch Aotearoa NZ Find out how citizen scientists are helping catalogue marine life using eDNA samples

At ‘A Day of Exploration’ in Monaco on March 24, 2026 — hosted by the Yacht Club de Monaco in partnership with The Explorers Club — the room was filled with extraordinary perspectives. From ocean conservation to space exploration, the shared thread was clear: understanding our world is key to protecting it. Amid voices like world-renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle and Arctic explorer (and friend!) Andreas B Heide, what stood out to us at Free Range Ocean was the emphasis on something deeply practical — how people can actually take part. A heartfelt thank you to Emily Cunningham MBE for including the Free Range Ocean Citizen Science Directory in her presentation during the Captains' Forum (Watch the presentation below). Emily’s work consistently bridges awareness and action, and in Monaco she showed exactly how boaters and ocean users can meaningfully contribute to science — no lab coat required. Alongside this, it was inspiring to see other tangible pathways highlighted, including the work of the International SeaKeepers Society. As part of the SeaKeepers Discovery Yacht Programme, Freeranger  actively participates in several of their citizen science initiatives — a reminder that these opportunities are not only accessible, but already being integrated into real cruising life. We’re equally grateful to Maiwenn Beadle, the pioneering “Ice Queen” of the Arctic and the first woman to captain a superyacht through the Northwest Passage, for bringing this conversation into the room. Her leadership in shaping the session — and championing Free Range Ocean’s involvement — made this moment possible. Larissa is a member of The Explorers Club, so it was especially meaningful to see this connection between exploration and participation so clearly expressed and although we couldn't be there in person this time, we surely will next! Because while exploration often celebrates the extraordinary, the future of ocean understanding depends on something more collective: many people, doing small things, consistently. Thank you, Emily and Maiwenn, for helping show that everyone has a role to play — and that the most powerful discoveries often begin with simply paying attention. Watch the full Captains' Forum recording. Scroll to 1:05.26 for Emily Cunningham's presentation https://www.youtube.com/live/JU6h09LjTR8?si=cxmmFzt6DAJrHOtv For more info: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/03/24/3261246/0/en/Scientists-and-explorers-unite-at-the-Yacht-Club-de-Monaco-for-A-Day-of-Exploration.html

There’s a particular energy in a room full of women who have chosen the sea. At the recent Women on Water gathering, hosted by the Bluewater Cruising Association , our co-founder Larissa Clark opened the weekend with a welcome keynote that set the tone not with grand declarations, but with something far more resonant: honesty. At Free Range Ocean, our work is rooted in the belief that everyday ocean users can play a meaningful role in understanding and protecting the sea. Over the past 18 months, Larissa, Duncan, and their two children have been living that out aboard Freeranger — sailing across the Pacific while contributing to citizen science projects, connecting with local communities, and sharing the realities of life at sea. Her talk, Sailing With Purpose (Even When You’re Green Around the Gills) , reflected that same ethos. It wasn’t about polished expertise or perfect passages, but about starting before you feel perfectly ready, when you just feel 'ready enough' — and discovering what you’re capable of along the way. A thread that ran strongly throughout was confidence. Not as something you wait for, but something you build through action. Through saying yes before you’re certain. Through learning by doing. Through showing up anyway. It was a fitting opening to the Women on Water weekend: grounding, energising, and quietly emboldening. A big thank you to the Bluewater Cruising Association for the invitation. Women on Water (WOW) is their annual event dedicated to supporting, connecting, and building confidence among women at all stages of their sailing journeys — from first steps to ocean crossings. Because if there was one message that stayed with the room, it was this — you don’t have to feel ready to begin.

We are thrilled to announce that the Ocean Cruising Club  has awarded its 2025 Environment Award to Duncan Copeland, Larissa Clark and family aboard S/V Freeranger  in recognition of the creation of the Ocean Citizen Science Directory and the wider work of Free Range Ocean. Duncan, Larissa, Eden and Skye Copeland aboard SV Freeranger in Russell, New Zealand 2026 (picture by Krista Harries) We were truly humbled to hear we'd been nominated for this award, and deeply honoured to have been selected and for the recognition from a community we respect enormously. The OCC has long championed seamanship, curiosity and responsible voyaging. To be acknowledged for environmental leadership within that circle means a great deal — particularly because sailors are uniquely placed to witness the health of our ocean first-hand. Whale spotting is fun for all and reporting sightings helps researchers understand whale behaviour and needs Since launching Free Range Ocean in 2023, we have turned our 50-foot sailboat, Freeranger , into a mobile platform for marine conservation. Drawing on more than forty years of combined experience in marine resource management, environmental campaigning and communications, we set out to better connect people on the water with the scientists working to understand it. Our approach is simple: every observation counts. Everyday people — including cruising sailors, coastal fishers, families exploring rockpools, divers, paddleboarders and beach walkers — can all contribute meaningfully to global marine knowledge. Because the ocean is vast, dynamic and still deeply under-observed. The clearer our collective picture, the better the decisions that follow — and given the sheer scale of the ocean, the effort to understand and protect it cannot be the responsibility of scientists alone. It requires many people, each doing something practical, wherever they are. A neuston net trawl on Freeranger mid-Pacific Ocean for Dr Rebecca Helm and International SeaKeepers Society From the Pacific Northwest to French Polynesia and across the South Pacific to New Zealand, our own voyages have become opportunities to contribute data wherever we travel. We’ve towed a neuston net across open-ocean swells for studies of life at the ocean’s surface thousands of miles from land, logged whale and dolphin sightings from coasts to high seas, recorded seabirds far offshore, and documented floating debris and fishing activity in remote waters. Small, practical contributions gathered steadily over time — adding up to something far bigger than a single boat. At the heart of this award is the Ocean Citizen Science Directory — a curated, open-access platform designed to make it simple for anyone to find and participate in credible, ocean-benefiting projects wherever they are in the world. Media coverage helps to grow awareness and outreach for the directory - Island Cruising Magazine While cruising sailors are uniquely positioned to collect data across vast distances, the Directory is equally relevant to someone surveying litter on their local beach, submitting wildlife sightings from a kayak, or contributing fisheries observations from a working vessel or holiday charter. Beyond data collection, Free Range Ocean’s work spans both collaboration and demonstration. We host and connect local conservation initiatives, marine researchers and storytellers on board Freeranger  in and from the countries we visit — creating space for shared learning and practical exchange. At the same time, we use the boat as a living testbed: trialling environmentally responsible cruising practices, showcasing lower-impact technologies, and exploring how everyday operational decisions can reduce a vessel’s footprint. The Freeranger crew taking secchi disk readings in BC, Canada This award reflects a growing movement — within the cruising community and far beyond it — of people who care deeply about the waters they depend on and enjoy. We believe sailing can be more than a way to cross oceans. It can be a way to protect them. To the Ocean Cruising Club, thank you, deeply, for recognising that vision. And to anyone who spends time on, in or beside the sea: wherever you are, there is likely a way to contribute. Let’s sail — and act — with purpose. 🌊 ~ Larissa, Duncan, Eden and Skye Copeland - sv FREERANGER About the Ocean Cruising Club The OCC is the “home port” for those who have sailed long distances across big oceans. With 64 nationalities represented among more than 3600 members, and Port Officers around the world, we have a more diverse membership and a more international reach than any other bluewater sailing organisation. The Ocean Cruising Club exists to encourage long-distance sailing in small boats. A Full Member of the OCC must have completed a qualifying voyage of a non-stop port-to-port ocean passage, where the distance between the two ports is not less than 1,000 nautical miles, in a vessel of not more than 70ft (21.36m) LOA; associate members are committed to achieving that goal. This standard distinguishes the OCC from all other sailing clubs. Our membership as a whole has more experience offshore than any other sailing organisation – in the number of circumnavigators, in the range of extraordinary voyages members have completed, and in the number of solo sailors and female sailors among our ranks. This is what sets us apart, even as it draws us together. Duncan and Eden proudly hoisting the OCC Flying Fish burgee aboard Freeranger

We were happy to write an article for Island Cruising: Cruise News magazine to help cruisers in NZ and Australia find citizen science projects to participate in. Read the full article in the February 2026 issue of Cruise News by clicking here and looking for page 56 in the e-magazine .

On 2nd February 2026, Duncan and Larissa presented Free Range Ocean's ideas, tips and tools for cruising in an environmentally responsible way to members of the Island Cruising community who are planning a sailing season in the South Pacific later this year. The event was organised by Island Cruising NZ, a long-standing support network for cruising sailors exploring Aotearoa and the wider South Pacific. Run by experienced offshore sailors, the organisation provides practical, real-world guidance on passage planning, weather windows, safety, regulations, and life afloat — alongside seminars, rallies, and a generous culture of knowledge-sharing. More than just logistics, Island Cruising NZ connects boats into a trusted community, helping skippers leave the dock better prepared and more confident, and fostering the kind of seamanship, self-reliance, and mutual support that make bluewater cruising both safer and more rewarding. The session was led by Viki Moore of Island Cruising, who has run it since 2021 and serves as its Managing Director. Viki is a lifelong sailor and qualified RYA Offshore Yachtmaster with extensive experience in cruising support, and under her leadership the organisation provides rallies, preparation resources, and offshore-cruising support for sailors heading from New Zealand into the South Pacific and beyond. Free Range Ocean was joined by Citizens of the Sea and International SeaKeepers Society to present inspiring projects cruisers can join in. Background The number of cruising boats is increasing everywhere, particularly in the South Pacific. As a community, our impacts are growing, and they are cumulative. Responsible cruising can be viewed through three lenses: • Environmental care • Social and cultural respect • Leading by example Minimising our footprint not only has an environmental benefit; it also protects: • Access • Reputation • Future cruising freedoms Areas we talked about included: Why Responsible Cruising Matters Wildlife Interactions and Disturbance Anchoring, Moorings, and Seabed Protection Fuel, Oil, and Chemical Pollution Waste and Plastics Feeling Flush - Sewage Swabbing the decks (and the dishes) – Reducing Greywater Discharges Keeping Your Bottom Clean Boat Work The food we take – considerations on fishing and other food harvesting Sunscreen and Personal Care Products Noise, Light, and Visual Pollution Be a Citizen Scientist! Responsible cruising isn’t about restriction. It’s about respect, awareness, and humility. Responsible cruisers… • Are observant, not entitled • Ask questions • Adapt behaviour • Accept inconvenience • Contribute • Let’s aim to be the kind of cruiser we’d want arriving in our own home waters! We’re guests. Our wake lasts longer than we think. The Pacific is generous — but not infinite. Here's a copy of our presentation  for those who missed it.

We’re delighted to share that Free Range Ocean  is featured in the Ocean Cruising Club’s Flying Fish Magazine – Annual 2025 Issue , with a long-form article titled A Journey with Purpose: From Victoria, BC to the Heart of Polynesia  by Larissa and Duncan. The Ocean Cruising Club's Flying Fish Magazine is one of the most respected publications in the offshore sailing world, and this annual edition brings together stories from across the global cruising community. Our feature follows our family’s departure from Canada aboard Freeranger , charting a multi-year Pacific voyage that weaves together bluewater sailing, homeschooling at sea, and hands-on participation in ocean citizen science. The article explores why we set up Free Range Ocean, how the Ocean Citizen Science Directory  came to life, and what it looks like in practice to collect meaningful data while cruising — from wildlife sightings and microplastic sampling to neuston net tows on the high seas. It also reflects on the power of family sailing, community connections, and the incredible support of the OCC network along the way. We’re grateful to the Ocean Cruising Club for the opportunity to share this story, and we hope it inspires more sailors to see their voyages as platforms for positive ocean impact. Read the article as a stand alone here Full Flying Fish Magazine here Ocean Cruising Club website here

This week Explore North’s  popular sailing podcast dropped a compelling new episode, “Sailors for Ocean Science,”  featuring Free Range Ocean co-founder Duncan Copeland  in conversation with Norwegian sailor, author, and podcaster Jon Amtrup . It’s a must-listen for anyone who sees sailing not just as an adventure on the water, but as a chance to contribute to vital ocean science. In the episode, Duncan shares the story behind Free Range Ocean , our non-profit we launched to bridge cruising life with citizen science. From coral reef surveys to microplastic collection, our Free Range Ocean Citizen Science Directory  now includes nearly 50 different ocean projects that cruising sailors can join at sea. We hope it's a nice reminder that every sailor is uniquely positioned to help gather data that researchers need to understand and protect the marine environment. Jon Amtrup, the host of the Explore North  podcast, is a lifelong mariner and storyteller. He's crossed the Atlantic multiple times, circumnavigated Svalbard, and sailed extensively along Norway’s dramatic coastlines — in both summer and winter conditions. Beyond miles under keel, Jon is also a respected journalist and author of several sailing books, including High Latitude Sailing  and Sail to Svalbard , and a fellow member of The Explorers Club and the Royal Geographical Society. Jon's background as both a communicator and an adventurer makes him a natural fit for exploring the intersections of life at sea and the broader environmental pressures facing our oceans. For cruising sailors looking to get more involved in meaningful ocean work should tune in to the episode for ideas, inspo and encouragement! Duncan’s enthusiasm for accessible citizen science — paired with Jon’s thoughtful questions — make for a great conversation! You can listen to Podcast #187: Sailors for Ocean Science  on Explore North 's website or wherever you get your podcasts. If you’ve ever wondered how your next passage could make a real difference for the planet, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to set sail with purpose.

We are thrilled to share our citizen science directory with the Island Cruising community in the December Issue of Cruise News! Island Cruising provides cruisers in the South West Pacific with incredible support, education & connection including their brilliant Pacific Rallies. We took part in the Fiji Rally 2025 and will again join in 2026 with talks, seminars and citizen science demonstrations to help more cruisers participate in the South Pacific season! Here's our latest write up with them in their much-loved magazine. Read Cruise News Full Issue here Island Cruising Website here

In June we had a great time chatting to friend and fellow cruiser and Ocean Cruising Club member, Ben Shaw, who hosts the brilliant sailing podcast Out the Gate. Check out our episode #145 Inspiring Citizen Science: https://outthegate.podbean.com/e/freeranger-inspiring-citizen-science-ep-145/ It was such a pleasure getting to know Ben and his family during their 8,000-mile sailing trip the Pacific this past year. While anchored together in the lagoon of Bora Bora, Ben sat down with us to chat all things 'Free Range Ocean', navigating to Pitcairn Island and turning boat-kid-to-ocean-skipper .. and much more. Tune in here and see many other great episodes here:   https://outthegate.podbean.com/ Since wrapping up their big trip, he and his family are back in San Fran and while we miss them terribly on the high-seas (also for sundowners in beautiful places) there are two exciting things about that ... 1) Ben's an experienced science communicator with roots in journalism (National Geographic, public radio) and he's available for exciting and enriching work in ocean/climate communications or program management... get in touch with him via his LinkedIn. 2) SV Dovka is on the market in Tahiti after 40 years being sailed, loved and cared for by the same family - see here if you're dreaming of your own voyage in the South Pacific