Anchorage: Scalasaig
Position: 56° 04.1 North - 6° 11.0 West
Distance surveyed: 38.0nmi

We continued our journey at around 11:00am today. Before that, we enjoyed our time at Port Ellen, our anchorage. We first had a sailing lecture. It came up because of our interest in the Buoyage System and Duncan explained it to us in details. He showed us the Nautical Alamanac and illustrated to us how to read the stream of tide from the maps. It was very fruitful as it made us understand sailing more. Apart from that, we also had a quick walk along the seaside and took many pictures of the wonderful Port Ellen.

During the day, we saw birds and amazing landscape of Islay, though we could neither spot dolphin nor whale. We came across unstable sea condition with swell around us. Wow, our boat moved ups and downs and it was more exciting than having a ride at a theme park. Once we arrived at Scalasaig, Peter (The new scientific director of HWDT) joined our team. We had good chat and nice dinner prepared by Marjolaine. Thanks for the Chilli Paste from Gayal making our dinner become a ‘hot’ one.

Stephanie – Hong Kong

Photo: Gayal on the right and John on the left

Anchorage: Port Ellen
Position: 55° 37.6 North - 6° 11.2 West
Distance surveyed: 55.4nmi

We started the day with a wake up call from Duncan, since everybody was fast asleep after a hard day and of course a tasty dinner prepared by Stephanie, which everybody enjoyed last night. Since it was a long trip today as scheduled we managed to leave Lowlandman’s Bay just past 8 a.m. after having the breakfast which now includes Sturgeron – sea sickness medicine. Weather was not bright at all from the beginning until very late, where it became sunny when we reached Port Ellen.
Though hydrophone - the software which monitors the sounds, registered the sounds of Porpoise few times, we were not fortunate to see any of them today… Crew of the vessel kept everybody going well, specially Marjolaine in particular where when ever saw guys were board managed to make them active either by dancing, exercising, massaging etc. wow… later was great!!!
We sheltered at Port Ellen, a beautiful port where we managed to go out and have a worm shower, which everybody enjoyed without any doubt. At last but not least, after having dinner Rob took us to a Bar to have a drink and after a walk every body gone to the bed looking forward to see lot of Whales tomorrow…..

Gayal – Sri Lanka

Anchorage: Lowlandman’s Bay (East Jura)
Position: 55° 53.1 North - 5° 53.7 West
Distance surveyed: 51.5 nmi

Today was a lovely day sunny and clear and we travel from Kerrera to Lowlandman’s Bay. We were wondering what was going on because we were slowed down for a moment, the reason was that the currents were against us and we need to go to a sheltered bay as there is still a big sea to the west of the Islands.
We saw a group of porpoises and the software registered their noise, Jon and Mohammed Stelios saw them twice and we were absolutely excited. Marjolaine gave us a presentation of the main purpose of this project, we saw how useful can be this research.
The best part was to see the pictures of the animals and try to identify the species, at the end we recognize almost every one and we are very encouraged to learn more about them.
Teresa Sanchez

Picture: Gaya, the nose of Stephanie and Teresa from left to right.

Anchorage: Kerrera
Position: 56° 24.6 North - 5° 30.0 West
Distance surveyed: 26 nmi

Well we started the first day of surveying leaving the port at approximately 13:00hrs after a short but necessary briefing on safety measures and surveying technique & an early light lunch. We are six volunteers from across the globe, and 3 crew ( Stephanie from Hongkong, Theresa from Mexico, Gayal from Sri Lanka, Stelios from Greece, Mohammed from Cairo & Jonathan from Karachi; our crew is made up of Skipper Duncan, First mate Rob & Scientist Marjolaine.

The weather was slightly overcast with the occasional break in the clouds and some lovely sun to brighten and give us just a nudge of warmth!! We took turns observing and surveying for various marine life hoping to get a lucky chance to see a porpoise, dolphin etc… Unfortunately though only got a glimpse of some seals! The wind started picking up and blowing at about 20 knots with an occasional shower, so the skipper decided to put up the sails! And we got to experience of just how much a boat can tilt!!!! What an experience!! However it did take its toll as after just a few hours most of the us the volunteers got sea sick and had to come into the cabin and lie down.

Jonathan

PS: From left to right on the picture, Duncan, Teresa and Rob

Monday 23th April , 2006
Anchorage: Tobermory
Position: 56°37.200 N 006°03.700 W
Distance surveyed:

After the first monitoring trip10 days ago, it is time to start the Earthwatch trip! Six new volunteers from all around the word. A new skipper Duncan (the main skipper of the boat). The volunteer arrived around 6 under a heavy rain, welcome in Scotland!!!!
A warm tea, a quick presentation of everyone, of the boat and how this next ten days are going to be organised. Nice diner made by Rob (Fisrt Mate). After all of this and long chat, it was almost 11h00, so time to go to bed, to be ready for a exiting day!!!!

Marjolaine (scientist Officer)