This year, British Science Week (6-15 March 2026) is all about curiosity. A wonderful theme because:
Read MoreCuriosity is the essence of human existence – Gene Cernan (1934-2017)
At the beginning of this year, Pelican of London cruises the Western Mediterranean Sea. I take this as a prompt to share some insights into the marine (eco)system of this region and its state of conservation.
For millennia the Mediterranean has been shaped by the rise and fall of civilisations and associated development in agriculture, art, philosophy, science and technology, by numerous wars and long-distance trade, by religious diversity and cultural fusion, and latterly by commercial rivalry and geopolitical competition, tourism and migration 1.
The Western Mediterranean Sea and its creatures know no national boundaries, cultural differences or politics, while their health is utterly dependent on international agreements and their implementation, maritime policies and traffic, as well as national environmental regulations, fishing practices and pollution from a wide variety of sources.
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What is the point of attending a conference? For me, it has always been about learning, challenging perceptions and meeting new people and catching up with aquaintances.
In the world of remote working, meeting face to face is a real treat and the Sail Training International Conference in Bordeaux (23-25 Jan 26) offered plenty of opportunities to do that and also showcase the work we do on Pelican of London.
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The fact that terrestrial vertebrates, including me, descended from an early marine fish some 375 million years ago is too far fetched for me to say I am ocean.
Nevertheless, for me this statement holds some scientific and some emotional truths.
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Let’s spell it out: cleaning communal toilets, sharing a dormitory with strangers, travel sickness, washing up for 46 people and standing in the wind and rain for hours on end are not common entries on people’s lists of favourite activities.
Yet 27 young people chose to do just that for a chance to live on ‘planet Pelican‘ for a while and experience all the good stuff that comes with it…
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When I discovered that a one-inch-square piece of kelp frond is a microcosm of creatures, (once more) the enormity of the ocean and what we don’t yet know about it, dawned on me.
Read MoreImagine sailing across the ocean under a vast canopy of stars and dolphins weave through bioluminescent waters below. Such breathtaking moments are more than just beautiful – they are transformative.
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Sometimes it takes a little bit of lateral thinking ….
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Pelican of London toured three beautiful(ly interesting) parts of the British Isles this week with a crew of seasoned seafarers on board, including Neil, John and Gaz of the Kimber’s Men!
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We’re on board Pelican of London with a bunch of musicians and seasoned (tall) ship sailors. It’s sunny, the sky is deep blue and we’re waiting in Barrow lock for the evening tide…
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Scientist in Residence Mauricio Ferreira spent several weeks on the sail training tall ship Pelican of London and involved teenagers in a plankton research project that compared biodiversity in coastal waters around the Irish Sea. With the right methodology, STEM education is an amazing tool to engage young people, and Mauricio hit the spot!
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One of the most rewarding aspect of my job on Pelican of London is to sit down with a group of trainees, who just obtained a bunch of data from a scientific instrument, graph it, kick ideas around to make sense of it and place it into a bigger context.
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Challenging Habitat 