Cardiff, 10th-11th August
The first continuous plastic sampling while circumnavigating the British Isles
A pioneering Round Britain sailing expedition starting and finishing in Plymouth this summer will see a diverse group of women sample the UK’s waters for plastic pollution and run awareness-raising events along the beautiful British coastline. The female crew members include scientists, students, artists, filmmakers, business women, psychologists, ocean activists and sustainability professionals, who range from first-time to experienced sailors.
The groundbreaking Round Britain sail will take 30 days and incorporate high-profile events in Cardiff at Techniquest and Look Out Café/ World of Boats, Cardiff Bay. It will also be an exciting return to Cardiff for eXXpedition co-founder Emily Penn, who grew up in Penarth and went to Stanwell School. Events will also take place at the other 6 stops on the Round Britain sail – Plymouth, Belfast, Arran, Stornoway, Edinburgh and London.
On the 10th August, visitors to Techniquest from 1pm-4pm will be able to meet members of the eXXpedition crew and the inspiring Kids vs Plastic – Ella and Amy Meek – to learn more about plastic pollution, anti-plastic activism and potential solutions to the plastic problem.
Make an immediate impact by joining the eXXpedition Round Britain crew and Keep Wales Tidy on a litter pick at Cardiff Point on 11th August, 10:00-12:00. Volunteers are to meet at the car park off Empire Way (CF11 0JS).
Also on 11th August, at Look Out Café / World of Boats, eXXpedition are hosting a night of Sea Dragon Tales from 7pm-10pm. Listen to fascinating stories from adventurous women from the eXXpedition crew and even share your own adventure during open mic sessions.
eXXpedition, the Community Interest Company behind Round Britain, specialises in all-women sailing trips with a focus on highlighting the devastating impact single-use plastic and toxics from land-based activities are having on our planet’s oceans, ecosystems and on human health. Previous research carried out by eXXpedition has highlighted the endemic nature of microplastics within our ocean environments globally and the increasing potential impact they have on human health.
“After years of studying ocean plastics all over the globe I am so excited to be bringing this project home to the UK,” says eXXpedition co-founder and ocean advocate Emily Penn. “The more time I spend at sea, the more I realise that the solutions start on land. We may be seeing the more obvious impact of plastic and toxic pollution in the more remote parts of our planet, but what is clear is that the pollution is coming from land – the UK included. We need to expose these issues and raise consciousness of the work to be done to solve them here in the UK.”
The eXXpedition crew will be sailing 72ft challenge yacht Sea Dragon (owned by Pangaea Exploration) from Sutton Harbour, Plymouth on the 8th August and will complete their sail in the same location on the 5th September.
eXXpedition successfully raised £10,000 through crowdfunding for outreach activities at ports visited during the voyage. Further contributions to the project can be made via Paypal at https://goo.gl/V8k93F. All sailing costs are covered by crew contributions.
