Galapagos – A Science Trip to Darwin and Wolf

Galapagos – A Science Trip to Darwin and Wolf

by | Aug 26, 2023 | Galapagos, Scientific Trips

Seahawk arrived to Darwin in July 2021, the northernmost island in the Galapagos archipelago, after previously cruising the southern parts of the province and formally launching YachtAid Global’s Swimming and Sailing program in San Cristobal.

Much excitement could be felt on the boat as the inaugural science mission was about to begin. In a joint effort led by YachtAid Global, Seahawk became an active participant in Operation Swimway; a project dedicated to lending support to science and marine conservation NGOs conducting state-of-the-art research around the world.

Operation Swimway’s focus is to determine patterns of migratory animals, such as sharks, mantas, and turtles. Understanding the movements of these animals and the corridors they use to feed and breed is key for protecting all marine life, especially so for sharks who have to take increasingly dangerous journeys due to unsustainable fishing practices and other hazards including water pollution. High on the list of Operation Swimway’s priorities is to precisely define endangered species migratory patterns. The data collected and analyzed is then used to help define candidate Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) with the goal of seeking and obtaining approval from the responsible governing agencies.

While visiting Darwin, Seahawk was joined by scientists from the conservation group Migramar, a well-known organization that operates in the Eastern Pacific Ocean dedicated to studying the movement of threatened marine species. Dr. Alex Hearn led the effort on this expedition, which focused on studying whale sharks, known to visit Darwin Island during the July, August, and September timeframe. Adult female whale sharks congregate annually in the Galapagos, a phenomenon that is one of the subjects of Migramar’s research. Most of the females are pregnant when visiting the islands, suggesting the archipelago could serve as a nursery for these sharks. The mission’s objective was to attach GPS tags to individual whale sharks in order to provide tracking data based on a representative sample for determining the overall nature of species’ movements. Very little is known about where the whale sharks go, their pupping grounds, or their feeding habits.

During our cruising of Darwin and Wolf, we were lucky to have several encounters with some of the whale sharks. As stewardess Thea remembers:make

“It was a crazy experience. I suddenly saw this 12-meter fish swimming very fast past us. You could feel the water moving around you as she swam past. The scientists tried to tag her, but failed to do so as she was at full speed. The sighting lasted a few seconds, but it was incredible.”

Some of the attempts at tagging these sharks were successful, but the process is far from perfect. The sheer size, speed, and strength of whale sharks make the attachment of transmitters very challenging.

But not all was focused on GPS tracking. Dr. Diana Alexandra Pazmiño Jaramillo was part of the science team leading Operation Swimway. Her work at the Galapagos Science Center focuses on a more evolutionary approach; research designed to trace the migration patterns of various shark genotypes by using genomics, a special kind of DNA fingerprinting used to identify individual species without actually tagging them. Dr. Diana Alexandra’s work involves analyzing the secretions and tissues of the animals at a molecular level, which is crucial to revealing their behavior and patterns of movement. 

Miguel Herrero, Marine Biologist and Project director at Mantas Ecuador, was also on board Seahawk. His research revolves around developing an understanding of both the reproductive processes and migration patterns of giant manta rays. But Miguel is also interested in the role of cleaning stations and the special fishes that symbiotically bond to keep the rays healthy and free of parasites. Like many symbiotic relationships in the ocean, there is much specialization. In the case of the giant mantas, there are only a few specific types of cleaning fish suitable for servicing this shark family species. 

During our days at Darwin and Wolf, owners, guests, and crew were fortunate to experience the outstanding marine life that the famous Galapagos islands hold, while also witnessing how research on marine animals is conducted by professional scientists; an inspiring and educational experience.

However, not all was fieldwork. The Seahawk team also attended presentations held by the Migramar scientists, in which they discussed the experimental design needed to further improve the understanding of the mechanisms in play. Much was about how to better track the animals, sharks and mantas, but also important to the cause was developing a comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem; the Galapagos islands in particular are complicated because of the byzantine matrix of converging currents, some very warm, some very cold. It is acknowledged that a more holistic approach to science is likely the right answer in order to secure the outcome desired.

Prototypically, developing MPAs in isolation will not solve the problem unless other environmental hazards are addressed. Migramar and other similar NGOs realize the problem is multifaceted and are working to establish more comprehensive understandings and solutions. As for the Seahawk team, the boat is exceedingly proud to have played a small role in this most important effort.

If you’d like to know more, you can watch the video below. It includes interviews with the Migramar team on board, as well as footage of our days cruising the islands. Not to be missed!

Galapagos – Sailing and Swimming Program

Galapagos – Sailing and Swimming Program

by | Nov 7, 2022 | Charitable Trips, Galapagos

We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men. – Helman Melville

As we sail away, reaching new horizons, we remember the days spent in the Ecuadorian islands of San Cristobal, Isabella, and Santa Cruz. Becoming acquainted with the community and supporting the launch of a swimming and sailing school was an opportunity for us to understand  the Galapagos residents, their culture, struggles, and achievements.

Seahawk arrived in San Cristobal at the end of June of 2021. After a few days settling in from our latest crossing, we commenced work with our partner, YachtAid Global, to complete Galapagos’s first swimming and sailing community center, a Project 12 months in the planning.

YachtAid Global (YAG), a charity supported by a core group of yacht owners dedicated to working with ocean-bordered communities to enhance infrastructure, education, and environmental conservation, has been involved in several projects in the Galapagos with the intention to support the local population in areas where assistance is needed. Providing clean water systems to island schools, opening a new library, and delivering classroom supplies and computers nicely captures the nature of the organization’s efforts during its 16-year history.

The goal of this new project was the launch of Lobo Marino, a sailing and swimming school located in Bahia Naufragio, in San Cristobal Island, as well as the expansion of the swimming program to the islands of Isabella and Santa Cruz. The school focuses on a younger generation of Galapagos residents aged 10 to 17.

The program was born to address a need for certain life-saving skills including the ability to swim. According to the WHO and local authorities, 65% of children in the Galapagos don’t know how to swim. And by another estimate, 8,000 resident children do not have access to a facility that would allow them to master swimming. 

For the population in Galapagos, the ocean plays a large role in people’s lives. Without the necessary swimming skills, children and adults are at risk of drowning. This is a problem that today accounts for 320,000 deaths a year around the world, particularly in low and middle-income countries.

The objective of the sailing program is to introduce children to a new sport that not only promotes physical fitness and self-confidence, but also fosters the creation of interpersonal bonds within the community. The exposure to boats and sailing also suggests opportunities to achieve a seafaring career both within the Galapagos and beyond.

Promotion of the initiative was also an important focus. Over the course of the two-week period, owners, crew, and YAG representatives worked to roll out the project with formal presentations to the community members, local authorities, and dignitaries. Most rewarding were the visits with island children, as many were excited to learn more about the new program.  

The project started with the inauguration ceremony of the school that was conducted in the Malecón of San Cristobal. The program was presented to the local community, and agreements between YAG and the Municipality were signed. Following speeches from Seahawk’s team, as well as from local sailors that talked about their experiences, the presentation of the trophy for the annual sailing regatta was conducted.

News of our visit and the sailing school activities spread further up political echelons, and reached the Prime Minister of the Galapagos, who in fact joined us for dinner on board Seahawk. This was an interesting meeting, one suggesting the “Swim & Sail” had the attention and in most cases support of island leadership. 

The following days were about spending time with the children on board Seahawk, introducing them to the discipline of navigating a large vessel and what it takes to be a professional crew member. We took the children and their parents sailing and showed them what living on a boat is like, along with the benefits of a vocation in seafaring.

The time spent by the crew teaching the kids how to sail was remarkable. On the islands of Isabella and Santa Cruz, Seahawk’s professional sailors gave the kids sailing lessons on Seahawk’s Tiwals, introducing them to a new hobby that many enjoyed and seem motivated to keep trying.

In support of the sailing program in San Cristobal, we got to know Emilio, a 15-year-old who previously had the fortunate experience to join another superyacht for a crossing from Galapagos to Tahiti. He is an extremely positive boy and was able to express his experience to the gathered children from the town at the presentations about the sailing school. He may well follow the path to a career at sea having been exposed to it at a young age, which is exactly what the school hopes to achieve with others in the community.

In San Cristobal, Seahawk provided the school with 4 new Optimist boats that were launched on the week of the inauguration, and the first lessons were conducted. Seahawk provided funding for the development of the facilities and the hiring of local sailing and swimming instructors.

The Swim & Sail project has been, without a doubt, one of Seahawk’s most rewarding projects. It was a fantastic opportunity for the crew and owners to engage with the Galapagos community.

The reception we received from the Mayors of the 3 main population centers, San Cristobal, Isabella & Santa Cruz, was amazing. The interest shown by the young people involved in the program was heartwarming. It is clearly apparent that the local community considers youth education important. Despite limited resources, they have built many recreational facilities, even though quality education is a challenge in some parts.

It is inspiring to see how Galapagueños take pride in their region, their land and their culture, as it’s shown by their commitment to making their archipelago home a better place. In particular, the focus on motivating youth to embrace understanding and preservation of the environment, their precious land, is heartwarming.

To this day we monitor project developments.  Swim & Sail continues to grow, largely due to the hard work invested by YachtAid Global, other yachts, and so many local volunteers.

Next in Galapagos, Seahawk joins scientist Alex Hearn, one of the most respected and accomplished shark researchers in the world. The boat’s mission, Operation Swimway is an important shark migration study organized by Alex and his team with support from S/Y Seahawk. The work is to be conducted around the waters of Wolf and Darwin, remote islands located in the Northern Galapagos region. More to come on that soon.