About the Project

To bring the Ocean close to people

The Ocean and life on Earth

The Ocean is key for the continuity of life on Earth. It produces oxygen, captures carbon, regulates temperature and weather, nurtures a wide biodiversity, provides us with food and entertainment, connects continents. However, human activities have critically endangered this ecosystem, and thus, the survival of the planet.

Even if life on earth is dependent of the Ocean and it represents 70% of the Earth’s surface, less than 5% of it has been explored and less than 2% has been protected. We don’t know it enough and we don’t understand it correctly. While it is our responsibility to care for it, most people doesn’t know anything about it or how much they could do to keep the Ocean healthy. Maybe, if science was more accessible for everyone, things would be much different.

I believe we can all help the Ocean heal the planet, if we have the courage to do our part. I decided to repair an old sailboat and refit it to conduct marine research on my own and bring the Ocean closer to people, hoping to motivate them to help restore it.

About the project

More than 10 years ago, I realized how much the Yucatan Peninsula depends on the Ocean, and how poor is the knowledge we have about it. The people I used to work with by then were mostly fishermen, and they had seen how their nets come to the surface every day emptier than the day before. Their livelihood is being seriously thretened, and they need to find new ways to feed their families. Illegal fishing became part of the problem, now knocking the doors of some of their communities.

There are not enough voices to claim for the help they need, and even less ears to hear that claim. Being a marine biologist and not being able to help, was just heartbreaking. When I asked them «How can I help», they gave me a lot of answers, but nothing that I could really do, and it seems nobody else can. The lack of research in the area is incredible, being it so dependent of the sea for food, transportation, tourism and more.

At the same time, as a researcher, I found myself not being able to share most of the information I gather under the projects I work on, as all the information belongs to the entities I work for, and most of them are not interested in sharing any kind of knowledge if it is not for profit (professional or economical).

So, I decided to repair an old sailboat and refit it to conduct marine research on my own in the region of Yucatan, in Mexico, where I live. This area depends on the Ocean in so many ways and too little is known about it, while research is necessary for a much needed sustainable development.

By doing my own research, I can communicate my findings with anyone I want while keeping the rigourous objectivity that science requires. At the same time, I can open opportunities for young talents to experience on first hand what doing science at sea is about. Making science more accessible to public through social media gives me the opportunity to spread my message and motivate people. to care a little more about their environment, and maybe convince them to take actions too.

I am realistic, my little project won’t bring all the answers or solutions needed, but it might araise awareness among people, it may help some of them to understand how the Ocean is important for life on Earth and how we all are responsible of its health. And maybe, only maybe, it will start the change we all need in the region.

It took me several years to find a boat that I could afford. A marine biologist doesn’t make a fortune, even less in Mexico, but I saved as much as I could and was lucky to have a decent job at the moment I found the sailboat I was looking for, so I got it and started working on it. Now, it is time to accomplish my goal!

About me

My name is Diana, and I am a marine biologist, graduated from the Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan with a master’s degree from the Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados (CINVESTAV-IPN) in Mexico.

I specialized in marine mammal stranding response, marine and coastal megafauna monitoring and marine environmental impact mitigation. I have been working worldwide as a scientific consultant for several projects and organizations in marine fauna stranding network organization and response training, marine fauna monitoring, enviromental impact mitigation, marine environmental surveys, and more.

Living most of my life close to the Ocean, I developed a passionate interest in marine research and conservation, coastal sustainable development, and the role of marine megafauna as indicators of Ocean health. I am aware of the importance of Ocean related knowledge, skills and experience when it comes to conservation, and sharing mine with young talents and community members is the least I can do. Sailing is just the most natural way to do it.

A little more than a year ago, I finally started my project. Little I knew a pandemic would start a few days later, the consequences it would bring, the changes that would impose, or the obstacles I would have to face, but giving up now is not in my plans!

About the S/V Veiviseren

The S/V Veiviseren is a 28ft sailboat built in 1975. The maker is Morgan Yachts and the model is Out Island. I know little about her history before I found her, but it was bought by the previous owner to a lady in Isla Mujeres, Q.Roo, and brought to Progreso, in Yucatan, in 2018, where I got her in February 2020. The first COVID case in Mexico was confirmed a few hours later.

With a very solid structure, the sailboat was designed for coastal cruising, which makes her perfect for my project. Repairing her was kind of easy, compared to the refitting part. The vessel seems to have been salvaged and the interiors remade, as more I move on, more neglects I find and more repairs have to undergo before continuing, and doing that mostly by myself is not exactly a piece of cake.

However, it is a trustable boat and perfect to conduct marine fauna monitoring and some complementing meteorological and oceanographic data acquisition.

Her name was given to me by a dear Norwegian friend I worked with at sea. Veiviseren means «the one who sees the way», the pathfinder, the guide. I think it perfectly describes her mission, as this is the first project of this kind in Mexico.

The first part of this story

Late January, 2020, in a coffee shop. I gathered with three of my former colleagues to have a coffee: Alexis (marine biologists), Ximena (biologist) and Angy (veterinarian). Our common interest is marine megafauna (dolphins, whales, sea turtles, seabirds, sharks, rays) and Alexis, Ximena and myself, we have planned a few projects together before. They knew about my plan to get a sailboat and when I confirmed them I was just waiting for the documents to be signed, they signed in to help me repair and refit the sailboat.

February 28, 2020. I signed the documents to get the sailboat. A few hours later, the first COVID-19 case in Mexico was confirmed. Ten days later, we were taking the sailboat to the dry dock to start with the repairs. The engine wasn’t working and an auxiliary overboard engine was used to move the vessel. The workers I had hired to help me repair the boat never showed up. Alexis couldn’t continue helping and stepped out from the project. Angy and Ximena continued helping from home, trying to shape the project and put it on a website and social networks. I started repairing by myself.

A week later, a national lockdown was declared and despite shipyards were among the essential businesses, and some days later I wasn’t allowed to go to Progreso anymore. Thankfully, by then, I had gathered a wonderful team to take care of the hull. Ten days later, the S/V Veiviseren was showing up new paint and her new name on her way back to the marina, where she was locked down.

Two tropical storms and a hurricane later, I was finally able to go back to the vessel and continue working on her. By then, Angy had to move to a different city and then to a different state, and Ximena had a full schedule with the music (she is an excellent percussionist!). I continued working on the boat and got a lot of help from Captain Alonzo, who not only taught me a lot, but also pushed me to take the sailboat out for a few tests.

We were planning a maiden trip in May, 2021. Ximena joined for the trip, but weather changed unexpectedly and we had to go back to port a few hours after we left. However, even if short, it was very useful, as we could find some issues we wouldn’t be able to find otherwise. The sailboat is, since then, undergoing some works to complete the refitting.

Do you want to know how the story continues? Follow the S/V Veiviseren in social networks!

The S/V Veiviseren in numbers

Dollars Raised

During 2021 and part of 2022, all money raised will be used to refit the sailboat and buy research equipment

Volunteers

Working on different aspects of the project.

Thank you!

Contributors

From advise on repairs to discounts in products and services, they are a big help for this project!

Thank you!

Plastic recovered

From plastic bags to lost fishing gear, I aim to collect all the plastic I find at sea. The more I sail, the more I can pick up!

Trees Planted

Yes, I also plant trees! I planted one when I got the vessel and another one when I renamed her. I am looking for more things to celebrate!

Community

Where I am currently working. I am looking for more places to spread my work!

People Trained

To work on behalf the Ocean by doing research or conservation. I look forward to start with this very soon!

Year

Since this project started and still going through the COVID pandemic. It is slowly going forward, but non-stop!

Our Partners & Sponsors

The S/V Veiviseren has received a lot of help. Sponsors, contributors, supporters and advisors, they all have helped to give new life to the vessel and make her purpose a reality. To all of them, including those who asked not to be included in the list, a big THANK YOU!