Views from our expedition circumnavigating Svalbard
Record Latitute Microplastic Sampling
Nautical miles of Arctic Ocean Explored
MISSION
We are an international network of researchers, communicators, and explorers committed to advancing research, education, and sustainability on the Earth’s oceans. With our low-impact, low-cost research expeditions on sailboats, we do groundbreaking research on topics ranging from microplastic pollution to environmental DNA.
We have reached the remotest corners of the planet, from the edge of the North Pole to Antarctica. Our mission goes beyond discovery. We share our passion for science with everyone and through citizen science initiatives we engage the public in critical global issues threatening the health of our bluesphere.
What we offer
unique blend of research, engagement, and communication.
A FLEET FOR SCIENCE
Low-cost scientific expeditions on board lightweight low-impact sailboats across all oceans
citizen science
Bringing together scientists and volunteers to amplify the impact of scientific findings
science Communication
Sharing science and building lasting bridges between science and society
events
Connecting people with the oceans to promote sustainability, adaptation, and innovation
Our Fleet
ONE OCEAN, ONE FLEET: THE POWER OF LIGHTWEIGHT, SUSTAINABLE SAILING
Science on board
“The Science we need for the Ocean we want” is the motto of the Unesco Ocean Decade Initiative, highlighting science’s crucial role in preserving our oceans. Oceans cover 71% of our planet’s surface and hold 97% of its water. Home to over one million (known) species, oceans are essential to life on Earth, regulate our climate and weather, and protect us from global warming.
By contributing to science and engaging the youth and the public in the research process, we want to amplify the impact of scientific findings while promoting sustainability, collaboration, and innovation.
Our scientific programme includes sampling plastic and microplastic in the sea, drone mapping of plastic pollution along the coasts, satellite ground-truthing, eDNA sampling, drone mapping of uncharted land territories, cosmic ray measurements, and marine archeology.
featured News
Interview with Elias Meier
A conversation with Elias Meier about the eDNA data collection during the PolarQuest2021 expedition and on the scientific results, which led to a publication in 2023.
Il Secolo XIX features 80th Parallel Book
Italian newspaper Il Secolo XIX features upcoming book tour event for “Ottantesimo Parallelo” (80th Parallel).
Tracking Marine Debris in Alaska
Polarquest’s Paola Catapano shares her experience using citizen science technology to track marine debris in the remote Chilkat inlet of Alaska.