Monday 7th August & Tuesday 8th August, 2006
Anchorage: Tobermory
Position: 56°37.200 N 006°03.700 W
Distance surveyed: 80 nm (Monday) + 35 nm (Tuesday)

What a day it has been... In fact, what a trip, too. Happy days.
New experiences all round and, as we head back to Tobermory, escorted by an entourage of white horses, I think it is fair to say we have come a long way this week. Not just in terms of covering the miles (which we have done!) but in clocking up some new, exciting and interesting experiences, too.
Yesterday started out as a 'normal' day (if such a thing exists on board Silurian) and, having said our Cheerios to the Bottle Nose Boys and the Thompson folks, we motored South down the Skye coast. What a stunning coast line it is, too; especially beautiful under sunny skies.
With the intention of heading into Loch Nevis to anchor, we tootled on past Mallaig, surprised by the appearance of two porpoises on a very un-porpoise-esque mission (NB I am a biologist not an English student!). Initially the two leaping bodies torpedoing in and out of the waves looked like dolphins, but as soon as they reached the boat they were gone again, clearly having porpoises to see and places to go. Even the 'famous' Silurian couldn't keep them entertained...
It must have been about 6pm when the call came...We were summoned to a meeting on deck to be informed that 'plans have changed' due to 'an event'. Intrigue as to what might have happened, and indeed what was about to happen, too. With hindsight, I must say, it wasn't quite what I expected!
Reports of an as yet unidentified beaked whale having been washed up on a beach at Staffa, just off the Treshnish Isles, meant that we turned about and motored south into the night. Another sterling effort in the galley by Delia, I mean Duncan, kept us stoked up, and a minke sighting in the calm waters off Tiree brought more smiles still. Under the cover of darkness we finally anchored off Gometra at around 11.30pm, with some 80 miles under the belt for the day.
So, to this morning and the rise of the black plastic bag! Few of you will appreciate the fashion statement that is this season's black plastic bag – to be engineered into protective capes, fancy hats and aprons – the perfect gear when there is a whale to take samples from and a post mortem to carry out. Yes, we even had blue rubber gloves!
Leaving Duncan to man the ship, we ventured out in the RIB to the beached whale, a young male some 3.3m long, in fairly good condition, all things considered. Peter gave us a whistle stop tour of the animal and a quick physiology lesson – all very interesting. I was certainly surprised at how dense the blubber is and just how dark with blood and myoglobin the muscle is. We took skin, blubber and muscle samples for DNA analysis and also the head – all of which will allow species identification.
Whilst really quite interesting to see and touch the animal, there was a sense of sadness that this fine young chap had been washed up, and a quiet respect for him, too. After the unforgettable vitality and exuberance of the bottlenose dolphins we had seen earlier this week, the encounter with this beaked whale seemed a perfect illustration of the circle of life and its ephemeral nature, as well as the wonders of the sea.
An incredible week all round. Happy days indeed.

Sarah

Sunday 6th August, 2006
Anchorage: Cabost, Loch Harport, Isle of Skye
Position: 57°19.400 N 006°02.900 W
Distance surveyed: 49 nm

Today we planned to travel across the Little Minch and head towards Neist Point on Skye. Since the weather was unpredictable we decided that I should do a trawl for plastics, which needs very calm conditions, before we headed out to rougher seas. My project is focused on whether the increasing levels of plastic in our oceans are affecting kittiwake declines in the area. Although the trawl was a success I managed to loose my bucket which sank to a watery grave before we could retrieve it.
The crossing was surprisingly uneventful apart from several porpoise sightings which disappeared as fast as they surfaced. We decided to explore the sea lochs around the north west tip of Skye since we had made such good time. Suddenly the people on data were overwhelmed with calls of “RUBBISH” again and again. Plastic bags were followed by empty yoghurt cartons and bottles, we sailed through aggregations of assorted rubbish included the odd hard hat and floating tangles of rope. Although we were all saddened by this unusual parting from the crystal clear waters that the Hebrides are famed for, it was an opportunity too good to miss for my project on ocean plastic levels. As well as a large amount of plastics we found a baby lumpsucker fish which was admired then returned to its home unharmed.
We travelled down the west coast of Skye, taking in the imposing cliffs and marvelling at the diving gannets. The weather for once was perfect – warm sunny skies and a gentle breeze. The day was rounded off with a trip to the pub in Carbost, much enjoyed by all!

Kim