Rossaveal to Rossaveal
Crew members : Skipper Linda, first mate Gerry, Biologist Hélène, Cristina, Fiona, Maria, Maitiu & Ruth
Welcome to the seventh week aboard the Celtic Mist, a voyage promising both the serenity of the sea and the thrill of discovery. This week, our diverse crew of marine enthusiasts, well trained sailors, and curious novices came together to explore the waters around the Aran Islands and Galway Bay. Our mission is twofold: to observe and document marine mammals in their natural habitat, and to forge special memories among the waves and beautiful landscapes on the horizons.
Join us as we embark on this extraordinary week aboard the Celtic Mist, where the spirit of adventure and the love of the sea unite us in a quest for knowledge and unforgettable experiences. Whether navigating calm waters or braving the swell, every day promises a new discovery and a story to tell.
Day 1:
The adventure began as we stepped aboard the Celtic Mist. Meeting the crew was like opening a book of characters, each with their unique traits and quirks. We had a mix of experienced sailors and enthusiastic novices, which promised a week full of learning and laughter.
After settling in, we ventured into Barna for the weekly shopping. The air was filled with excitement and a slight hint of salt, a promise of the sea adventures to come. The safety briefing was thorough, grounding us in the reality of our journey and the importance of vigilance.
For dinner, we opted for local classic fish and chips from a food truck. The taste of fresh fish, crispy and hot, with the tang of vinegar and salt, was the perfect way to kick off our maritime journey.
Day 2:
After an enthusiastic breakfast, we went over our scientific protocols, eager to put theory into practice. Setting off towards Inis Mór, the sea was a mosaic of blues and greens, promising endless possibilities.
Not long into our journey, we were rewarded with the sight of common dolphins. Seeing these magnificent creatures, adults and playful juveniles, dance at the bow was a sight that left us all in awe. There’s something incredibly humbling about their effortless grace in the water. Hélène, our marine biologist, spotted a whale blow in the distance. The distinctive bushy shape suggested it was a humpback whale. We altered our course, hearts racing, hoping for a closer look. However, the sea had other plans—swells and wind obscured our view, and the whale eluded us.
Despite the challenging conditions for a first day at sea, the crew adapted admirably. Back in Rossaveal and after a refreshing shower, with a delicious dinner we discussed marine mammals and their incredible adaptations to sea life, how they sleep, feed or how they can adapt to long and deep dives. The day ended with a sense of fulfilment, each of us ready for what tomorrow would bring (maybe the humpback whale again?).
Day 3:
Even before setting sail, the day started with excitement. A grey seal, a familiar face to local fishermen, graced us with its presence, logging just meters from our boat. It felt like a good omen.
We set off late in the morning after replenishing our water and gas supplies (Thank you Linda!). The conditions in Galway Bay were ideal—calm seas and gentle breezes. We were treated to several sightings of common dolphins, including some very young ones. Their (very close) social behaviour at the bow brought smiles to our faces.
Black Head’s scenery was stunning, and the afternoon sun warmed our spirits. Some crew members took the opportunity for a nap, recharging for the rest of the day ahead. As the day wound down, dinner preparations on deck became a communal activity filled with laughter and stories.
Just as we lowered the sail to enter the Rossaveal channel, we were greeted by a mother and calf dolphin duo, along with another adult, as if wishing us a nice evening and goodnight. The manoeuvre into port was seamless, and we were welcomed by a hot meal and a delectable tart for dessert. The day ended with everyone exhausted but happy, our heads full of beautiful images.
Day 4:
Today, we woke up early to perfect weather—clear skies, calm seas, and a gentle breeze. Breakfast was enjoyed as we navigated, the smell of fresh coffee and tea mingling with the salty air. Common dolphins joined us at the bow, playing in the waves of the boat.
Despite our best efforts—singing, dancing—marine mammal sightings were sparse. However, the birds kept us company, their presence a reminder of the rich diversity of life around us. Even if we had a quiet day with only a few sightings, it’s still good data and part of a scientific survey.
The wind picked up in the afternoon, and we decided to return to port early afternoon. It turned out to be our last outing of the week, as the forecast promised unfavourable conditions ahead. We docked in Rossaveal and enjoyed a cheese platter. Some of us took a short hike, and the skipper and first mate did the usual boat check-ups while others started dinner preparations. The evening was filled with laughter over our various animal-attracting techniques and our new coded language to communicate through a window when logging observation details on the computer. We wrapped up the day with a lively game of Qwirkle, the perfect end to a beautiful day.
Day 5:
Today was a day for rest and relaxation. We enjoyed a lazy morning, sleeping in and then gathering for a breakfast of banana pancakes made by our multi-talented skipper. With poor weather keeping us ashore, the day unfolded leisurely.
Some crew members ventured out for walks or runs, while others stayed on the boat to read or nap. In the late afternoon, we gathered again to debrief on our diverse day activities and learn a new card game, “Irish Snap”, while dinner was being prepared. Our grey seal friend made another appearance, maybe attracted by the delicious smells wafting from the boat?
Dinner was a joyous affair, filled with laughter and shared memories. We ended the evening with more Qwirkle, savouring the camaraderie that had developed over the week.
Day 6:
The day started early with the arrival of a new neighbour—a fishing boat (and the yellow minions) needing more space than the quay allowed. This necessitated an early morning small manoeuvre to adjust our position.
Later, as our week drew to a close, two crew members departed, leaving a palpable sense of change. Today’s activity was decided, we’ll explore Spiddal! We enjoyed lunch at a local café and visited the lovely craft village. A walk along the beach was cut short by rain, prompting a return to the boat. Back on board, we reviewed our observations and transects, mapping out our sightings from the week.
The day ended with more laughter-filled games of “Irish Snap” and another round of Qwirkle, all set to the nostalgic tunes of the 80s (and Qwirkle dances). It was a fitting end to a week that, despite its challenges, had been filled with unforgettable moments and new friendships.
Day 7: Final Journey to Rossaveal
Our final day began with a sense of bittersweet anticipation. Some of us embarked on a scenic road to Lettermullan to visit a museum dedicated to Irish traditions, a treasure of history and culture, offering insights into the rich heritage of Ireland. Back to the Celtic Mist one last time, everyone gathered their belongings and shared a final diner and a Qwirkle game, savouring the last moments of our adventure before a warm goodbye.
Overall Stats
We sailed for more than 33h, representing 326km. We spent 22h30 minutes on effort (223km) and had 33 sightings in total, 28 of which were common dolphins.
This week aboard the Celtic Mist was an extraordinary journey. Each day is an opportunity to learn, connect, and experience the magic of the ocean. From the initial excitement of boarding and meeting the crew, to the heart-pounding moments of spotting dolphins and whales, every moment is a chapter in our shared adventure. This week is also reminder of the beauty of nature and the strength of human connection whether it’s the playful dolphins, the elusive sightings of whales, or the simple joys of a shared meal and laughter on deck. As we navigate these waters, we face the challenges of the sea with camaraderie and resilience, and create a bond that only a week on the ocean can forge.
Written by the crew onboard survey 7!
𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 s𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑦𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑢𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ Fair Seas. 𝐷𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛, 𝐶𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑀𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐼𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑑, 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠.