Fighting ocean plastic
Despite the February storms, a group of volunteers have managed to sail along part of the Cornish coast, collecting 863kg of rubbish in just ten days. The 10 days 10 beaches campaign was led by Steve Green and Monika Hertlová from the group Clean Ocean Sailing aboard their 66ft gaff-rigged schooner, Annette.
They sailed from the Helford River to Carrick Roads, Mylor, St Mawes and as far south as Coverack.
“The weather was pretty relentless and it tested us and the boat. We blew out the inner staysail while sailing from the Helford to the Fal Estuary in the first week, and the main sail was also damaged due to the weather. The volunteers were absolute legends,” said Green.
He said where possible the collected rubbish would be recycled or reused. Items found included fenders, barrels, rope, fishing nets, a marker buoy from Florida Keys and a mooring buoy from Dorset.
Further clean-ups in 2020 are planned including the Isles of Scilly. Further details from patreon.com/cleanoceansailing