Bringing together marine conservation and positive social outreach, Clean Ocean Sailing work with volunteers of all ages and backgrounds and so far have removed over 55 tonnes of rubbish from our coast and ocean.  Their central message is to Refuse, Recover, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle the marine plastic devastating our marine environments.

This year the plastic-free pirates at COS are running a pilot project inviting people from all walks of life to join them in the fight against plastic pollution and look after their own mental health at the same time. On board and assisted by a therapist, participants in their Ocean Well Being project learn how active participation can improve well-being, whilst simultaneously contributing to the conservation of our marine environment.

“During sailing trips on our 115-year-old traditional wooden boat “Annie”, participants can experience sailing, kayaking, rowing, and wild swimming alongside activities with a positive environmental impact like beach cleaning, processing marine plastics for recycling and repurposing.”

- Monika Hertlova, co-founder of Clean Ocean Sailing

Project therapist Sarah MacQueen helps provide a safe space and opportunity for individuals to explore mental and physical health concerns, including climate anxiety and reconnection to the self and the natural environment. These conversations about mental health provide practical coping tools and a greater understanding of the benefits of physical activity and time spent in nature.

Ships Cook and Foraging Expert Stuart Woodman leads wild food foraging trips. During their beach cleans they look for wild treats hidden around the beautiful Cornish coast, then all get stuck in preparing a delicious feast to end the day.

By engaging with marine environmental concerns and the ways in which individual and collective action benefits the natural world, participants gain a sense of purpose.

Beach cleans are a perfect fit for this project, as they allow for a deeper understanding of the causes and consequences of human behaviour on our marine environment, whilst providing a tangible feeling of accomplishment when they are completed.

Through challenging outdoor activities and learning new skills, COS aims to build self-confidence in participants through a sense of individual and collective achievement. Most importantly, by working as a team to protect and care for the place we all live, those taking part achieve a sense of connection and belonging that makes a lasting difference in their lives.

Click here to get involved and find out more 

Clean Ocean Sailing is a not-for-profit organization collaborating with various local businesses who are helping them to run their sailing clean-up missions: Seaware, Port Pendennis Marina, Fal River Cornwall, Incredible Bulk, Yemaya Collections, Castaway Ropeworks, Aspects Holidays, Giant bikes, Fal and Helford Estuary Officer, Plastic free Falmouth and Helford River and many others. Without volunteers and the generous support of the wider community they won’t be able to carry on their marine conservation mission.