Date: Wednesday 17th September, 2008
Anchorage: Bunessan
Position: 56° 19’.600N 006° 15’.200W
Distance Travelled: 45 NM

Day two, the adventure continues….. Weather couldn’t be better – the water at times took on an ethereal glass like appearance, with the sun dancing on it, very inviting! Therefore a trip up to the crow’s nest was called for, and it was worth the climb – even had the captain make and bring up soup while I drank in the view. Breathtaking! Lots of seals popped up and some porpoises gave us a nod as well. Great nosh was had with a mid afternoon cream tea complete with raised pinkies, before dropping anchor in Mull for a quick pint and the gathering of mushrooms and blackberries. Everyone returned back to Silurian fresh eyed and rosy cheeked to enjoy Elizabeth’s chilli and tatties. Spirits are high, bellies are full.

Ellie

Date: Tuesday 16th September
Anchorage: Cragaig, Isle of Ulva
Position: 56° 28’.200N 006° 13’.000W
Distance Travelled: 33 NM

Today was our first day at sea on our expedition. Our volunteers are six in number and are Ellie, Elizabeth, Dennis, Andy, Danielle, Kumiko. The crew is Captain Glen, First Mate Lewis, and Suzie, our Scientific Officer. We left Tobermory around 2 pm and sailed up the Sound of Mull around the top of Mull. The water was quite rough [just a light breeze really – Ed] and we did not have much luck with any sightings, but the sun did shine and the water settled down a bit and the day was very much enjoyed. Our anchorage for the night is off the west coast of Mull, by the island of Ulva, ‘Wolf’s Island’ in Norse, which was once the centre of Scotland’s kelp gathering industry. Someone spotted a seal as the anchor was being lowered and hopefully we will see them again when the sun rises. Lewis made an excellent supper of veggie curry, rice, naan (YUM!!!) and cleaning up after was quite easy as there was nothing left! We are currently sitting around the table having a jolly time and I believe we will all sleep well tonight. Good night!

Danielle

Silurian travelled to Arisaig early in the morning to arrive in time for three workshops with students from the Primary School. P3 students boarded first, followed by P4 to P6 who wrote these comments:
Today we went to the dolphin trust and see lobsters, crabs and sea mouse. Archie
I liked holding the lobster best. Matthew
I enjoyed the lobsters. Michael
I liked the sea mouse the most. Jenny
Today what I liked was looking and feeling the sea creatures. Roslin
Looking and feeling the starfish. Edward
After lunch P7 students added:
Today i learned more about whales and dolphins.
I thought the best bit was looking around the boat and seeing how big it was and looking at the fish.
I was interested in the sea mouse. It was funny and colourful.
I enjoyed looking at the sea mouse.
I enjoyed seeing the star fish and the treasure hunt was very, very, very fun. Amy
Today I saw lots of interesting things. I learnt about the way some of the animals live. I also learnt about different things you find in the boat. Something I saw that I’ve never seen before is the sea mouse. The best bit was the treasure hunt.
My favourite part on Silurian was when we got to hold all the different types of lobsters and crabs.
As Silurian headed home the crew were delighted to encounter two killer whales – one male and one female. The perfect way to end a fantastic week.

Mallaig High School students boarded the boat this morning to learn about Silurian, HWDT’s research and local marine life. S2 students wrote some comments at the end of the workshop:
'On board Silurian I learnt that dolphins make noises. It made me laugh when Angus got attacked by the lobster. Angus had a fight with the lobster.' Dazzen
'Today I learned about how you can communicate with dolphins and whales.' Kimberley
'I enjoyed listening to the different sounds the dolphins, whales and porpoises made.' Morven
'I enjoyed learning about all the different animals and listening to them on the hydrophone.' Jessica
'I learnt new things about different sea creatures and i enjoyed the time I spent on the boat doing the treasure hunt. Thanks you.' Freya.
'I enjoyed listening to the sounds through the hydrophone, and learning about the starfish and sea mouse.'
'I enjoyed it lots and I’m definitely going to volunteer when I’m 18!' Abigail
'Today I learnt that sea life are beautiful and need to be protected more.'
'Today I learnt about a sea mouse looks like a lump of mould but it’s really soft. I enjoyed picking up the animals.'
'Today I learnt that lobsters are feisty.' Angus

Lady Lovat Primary School students experienced a marine life workshop in the afternoon:
'Today I learnt about fish.'
'I thought the best part was seeing the animals.' Jonathan
'I enjoyed the lobster.' Michael
'Today I learnt about sea mouse.'
'I enjoyed the sea mouse. Me and Alexander named it Spike.' Matthew
'I enjoyed the sea mouse.'
'Today I learnt how to find sea life.' David
'I enjoyed seeing the seal.' Kirstie-Ann
'Today I learnt about the Silurian boat.' Alasdair
'The best part of today was listening to the strange noises.' Liam

Another busy day for the education team, crew, dogfish and the thornback ray! Despite a wet and windy start enthusiastic students from Mallaig Primary School searched the boat on a treasure hunt, and pretended to be volunteers carrying out research. Additionally they had a close encounter with a grey seal, lobster and very large hermit crab. These P5 to 7 students certainly learnt a lot:

I enjoyed my day on the boat. I touched a ray, lobster, prawn and dogfish. Tony.

I really liked seeing and touching all the sea animals on the boat. I learnt a lot about the equipment that helps find whales and dolphins. Allan.

Today I had a great time. I felt a dogfish, a hermit crab and lots more. It felt great! Mark.

I will always remember this trip. I really enjoyed seeing all the animals and I touched a dogfish.
It was great inside and the recorded noises were amazing. Fiona.

I liked the octopus the most, but all the animals are cool. Ida.

I held the dogfish. Ryan.

Today I felt the dogfish. Courtney.

I have touched a dogfish, a prawn and a ray. We did a treasure hunt.

We have held crabs, looked around the boat and did a treasure hunt. Thomas.

I enjoyed and will always remember that I have touched a dogfish and have seen a ray. Chloe.

I enjoyed touching the dogfish and ray. I picked up a lobster. It was amazing. I would love to come back. Tyler.

Inverie Primary School students joined us alongside for two workshops between 9:00 and 12:30. The youngest students (aged 4) were delighted to have the chance to come onboard astern from the RIB. Again they were too busy learning about the dogfish, crabs, lobster and flat fish to write ideas for the blog.

We then headed to Mallaig at lunchtime to meet the S3 High School students in the afternoon. Here are some of their comments:
I enjoyed hearing sounds through the hydrophone and hearing about research methods.
Silurian sail trips seem like a great way to find out about, see and protect the marine life of the Hebrides. I’m definitely looking for a job. Kathryn

One thing I found interesting was how the hydrophone can pick up noises of the animals and other boats.

Today was fun and interesting. I learned that you could listen to things underwater using a special piece of equipment. I never knew this before.

I will remember the hydrophone and the knives and forks.
It was a great experience. I learnt a lot today and the people make it more enjoyable. Learning about dolphins and the boat was good fun.

I enjoyed it because we learned a lot and it was interesting and we did not have to stand in the rain for very long. Amy

At 8:30 am students from Muck Primary School boarded Silurian for marine life workshops, packed with activities to learn about the marine environment and cetacean research. The students came aboard in two groups, each for an hour and a half to explore the boat, learn about HWDT’s research and investigate local marine life. They were so busy they had no time to write comments!
We then took Silurian to Eigg for the primary students to experience two similar workshops in the afternoon. We were blessed with continuing fine weather and kindly given more by-catch from a local fisherman to show the children. After two great workshops we travelled to Knoydart to prepare for the following mornings school visits.