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A Summer Sailing the North Sea
After finishing my masters degree in Marine Biology last November, in March this year I began working for the whale and dolphin charity ORCA (Organisation Cetacea). ORCA have been working with international ferry operator DFDS Seaways by placing Wildlife Officers on-board the DFDS King Seaways for nine years in an effort to educate passengers about and survey the wildlife rich waters of the North Sea. This is the second season I have worked for ORCA; in the spring of 2014 I spent three months in a voluntary capacity on a Brittany Ferries ship in the Bay of Biscay.
Surveying from the DFDS King Seaways.
This year working on the King Seaways travelling between Newcastle and Amsterdam I was the Senior Wildlife Officer. Alongside running the Wildlife Centre on-board, I was also responsible for the training of our Wildlife Officer Placement Volunteers who ranged from recent graduates to those looking at changing careers.
My favourite part of my job had to have been providing opportunities for passengers to see their first whale or dolphin! Seeing someone’s reaction when they spot their first whale or dolphin is very special, even more so when they never expected to see an animal in the North Sea.
Passengers looking out for whales and dolphins.
A large proportion of the general public do not realise the extent of wildlife that can be observed in the North Sea. This isn’t just our magnificent whales and dolphins but a whole variety of bird life can also be spotted while sailing.
A gannet, one of our most commonly spotted bird species in the North Sea.
Since 2007 on our route between Newcastle and Amsterdam 10 species of cetacean have been positively identified, ranging from the tiny harbour porpoise to the second largest animal on the planet; the mighty fin whale. The three most common species that we spot however are the harbour porpoise, white-beaked dolphin and minke whale. Also this year we have seen bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins and Atlantic white-sided dolphins!
School students learning about the array of wildlife in the North Sea.
With the crossing being overnight we spend a lot of our time in the ORCA Wildlife Centre located on the ship. This for me is a wonderful space. It allows us to provide a wide range of fun and engaging environmental education for all passengers from 2 to 102 about North Sea wildlife and the marine environment with plenty of audience participation.
I have said my favourite part of this job is watching people’s faces light up with excitement when they first spot a whale or dolphin. A close second would be the dawn of understanding on a child’s face when they learn something new about our oceans. whether that be through conversation, games, or experimentation!
A brilliant new addition to the ORCA Wildlife Centre this year was ‘Debris’ the Marine Litter Porpoise! Created entirely out of rubbish that we collected from beaches around the North East coastline during early Spring this year. Debris is entirely made from the litter collected… no wire frame, or hollow inside; in fact the only thing on her not cleared from beaches is the glue holding her together! I love her, and she makes such an impact to everyone that sees her! She is a life size harbour porpoise. When people first look at her their response is “oh look at the multicoloured porpoise”… they then look a bit closet and start to realise what she is made of. I like to describe her as beautiful, yet terrifying. This is a unique and beautiful piece of art created by an environmental marine artist, writer, teacher and TV presenter Izzy Moreau. This may be a beautiful piece of art, but also a terrifying piece of art when you start to realise the quantity and variety of litter that ‘Debris’ is created from!
‘Debris’ the Marine Litter Porpoise in the Wildlife Centre on-board the DFDS King Seaways.
I have loved being out at sea this year and can’t wait to get back out to sea again soon! If you fancy reading more about my time on-board the DFDS King Seaways this summer you can read ORCA’s North Sea blog here.
Do you fancy getting involved? You can find out more about ORCA’s work and how you could get involved here.
Octo Diver, in collaboration with PADI, have introduced the first-ever PADI Scuba Technician Distinctive Specialty Course, designed to raise the standard of dive equipment knowledge and safety in the scuba diving industry.
This 7-day hands-on course is open to all certified divers, dive professionals, and dive centre/resort staff, and focuses on vital life-support equipment servicing.
The course modules include:
Scuba Regulator Servicing (Diaphragm & Piston types)
2nd Stage Servicing (Balanced & Unbalanced)
K-Valve Cylinder Valve Maintenance
Scuba Cylinder Visual Inspection
Power Inflator Servicing
Oxygen Cleaning for Scuba Equipment
Scuba Compressor Service & Maintenance
Standard Service & Repair Reporting
It is developed by Octo Diver’s professional team, led by a certified PADI Scuba Technician Instructor with a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering and over 15 years of experience in the diving industry.
This professional-level course can be conducted at Octo Diver’s classroom in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, or hosted at dive centers worldwide. Hosting dive centers receive exclusive benefits, including high commission, special course rates, and free seats.
Upon completion, students will receive certification from PADI along with official technician credentials.
Octo Diver is currently looking for dive centers and resorts globally to host this course. Let’s work together to make diving safer and more professional — Be a Certified PADI Scuba Technician.
For more information, visit www.Scuba-Technician.com
Far from the usual tourist trails, on a small island in the Northern Moluccas, lies a place of extraordinary beauty: Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort. Nestled between dense tropical jungle and a powdery white sand beach, the resort offers a peaceful escape immersed in nature at its purest. With panoramic views of the turquoise sea and direct access to some of Indonesia’s most untouched reefs, it’s a dream come true for those seeking tranquility above and adventure below the surface.
The resort features just 16 spacious beachfront bungalows, each only steps from the ocean. At its heart is a beautifully designed open-air restaurant, built entirely from natural materials, where guests can enjoy a diverse selection of Indonesian and international cuisine.
But what truly sets Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort apart is the underwater world that surrounds it. The reefs of the Northern Moluccas are among the most pristine and biodiverse in all of Indonesia – and remarkably, they remain largely untouched. Thanks to the remote location, dive boats are often the only ones around, giving divers the rare privilege of exploring vibrant coral gardens, dramatic walls, and colorful drop-offs in complete solitude.
Marine life here is nothing short of spectacular. Blacktip reef sharks are spotted on nearly every dive, while nutrient-rich walls attract sea turtles, schools of jacks, and bumphead parrotfish. For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove of rare and photogenic species, including pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, frogfish, leaf scorpionfish, and several types of octopus and shrimp.
One of the region’s most extraordinary highlights is the Halmahera Walking Shark, a rare species endemic to this part of Indonesia. First described by scientists only in recent years, this small shark is unlike anything else in the ocean. Rather than swimming, it uses its muscular pectoral and pelvic fins to “walk” along the seabed. These elusive yet fascinating creatures are most often encountered on night dives – and witnessing one in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience.
The reefscapes surrounding Spice Island Resort are equally impressive. Flourishing hard coral formations spread across the seabed, interspersed with vivid sponges, large sea fans, and colorful soft corals. The biodiversity is astonishing, and the visual spectacle underwater is a dream for photographers. Most importantly, the reefs here are healthy—a rare treasure in today’s marine environment. With minimal tourism and careful management, the ecosystem remains intact, vibrant, and teeming with life.
Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort is more than just a dive destination – it’s a retreat for those seeking peace and a haven for underwater explorers looking to experience the authentic magic of Indonesia’s last true frontier.
Book your next diving adventure at Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort with Extra Divers!
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