Come aboard Eilean to experience the sea

Come aboard Eilean on April 27th and 28th with IOC/UNESCO and Panerai to support marine science!

Come aboard the vessel Eilean for a day to learn about the sea and the importance of citizen science activities with the IOC/UNESCO and Panerai Ocean Literacy team for the Decade of the Sea.

Citizen science is a fascinating way to involve everyone in data collection and make people aware of how important it is to support researchers around the world to monitor the health of the ocean and its seas.

The activities are free and will be organized in two different one-day tours on April 27 and 28 with departure and return in La Spezia (Liguria, Italy).

To participate in the one-day activities, fill out the form by April 20. Selected participants will be notified by April 22. In case of bad weather or unsuitable conditions, the activities will be canceled, participants will be notified the day before the event.

This will be a great opportunity to sail on Eilean and get involved in ocean conservation. Set sail with us!

Who can participate?

Given the limited number of places, participants will be selected in accordance with the following criteria:

• Gender equality
• Age: over 18. Minors (minimum 12 years) must be accompanied by an authorized adult who will be responsible for completing the following form.
• Motivation to participate (each day we can have a maximum of 8 people on board)
• Priority will be given to people who live near the activity area.

All participants must cover their own travel expenses to reach the boarding point in La Spezia at the Mirabello port (also reachable on foot from the train station).

Lunch will be provided by the organizers.

The Story of Eilean

Eilean is a two-masted ketch launched in 1936 in Scotland. The vessel was designed by William Fife III and the shipyard of the same name is known for its great ability to combine elegant design with extraordinary craftsmanship.

Primarily used to sail along the west coast of Scotland, Eilean was discovered in ruins on the shores of the island of Antigua in 2006. From there, she was transported to Italy by Panerai in 2009 for a complete restoration. The master carpenters and craftsmen of the Tuscan shipyard of Francesco Del Carlo have given her a second life by exemplifying the art of nautical restoration: where possible, the craftsmen use techniques from the 1930s to preserve the characteristics of the yacht. They recover sixty percent of the wooden planking of the hull, restore the rudder, recondition and reinstall the bronze portholes.

Who is IOC/UNESCO and what is the Decade of the Sea?

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO is the United Nations body responsible for supporting global ocean science and services. The IOC enables its 150 Member States to work together to protect the health of our common ocean by coordinating programmes in areas such as ocean observations, tsunami warning and marine spatial planning.

IOC/UNESCO also coordinates the activities of the Decade of Marine Sciences for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), proclaimed by the United Nations to support efforts to reverse the cycle of declining ocean health and to bring together stakeholders from around the world behind a common framework that ensures that marine science can fully support countries in creating better conditions for sustainable ocean development.

What is OBIS?

OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) is a global open-access data and information center on marine biodiversity for science, conservation and sustainable development. OBIS is leading a global environmental DNA program. The analysis of genetic material (eDNA) in the water from the different species living in the area can indicate the presence of certain organisms without the need to see them or extract them from their environment. Through the analysis of water samples collected together by IOC/UNESCO experts, Panerai staff and citizens, it will be possible to measure the biodiversity of the sampled area and contribute to the OBIS database.

What is the Panerai Ocean Conservation Initiative?

Panerai Ocean Conservation Initiative is a global education and outreach program in partnership with IOC/UNESCO, which aims to empower diverse stakeholders to become agents of change and stewards of the ocean. Based on the scientific evidence highlighted by “Ocean Literacy”, the program will leverage three pillars: education, citizen science and industry engagement.