Any skippers or engineers out there would like to do some volunteer work for a worthy cause??

[Chris Bone]

Opportunities to sail with the marine charity OceansWatch

Skipper/engineer on Magic Roundabout: NZ, Vanuatu.

We need a skipper for Magic Roundabout (MR), who also needs to be a very competent engineer. Magic Roundabout is a lovely little yacht, a Sweden 34 built in 1986. Although an older boat we look after her carefully and she has a 2 year old engine and new instruments. MR has served us very well on 3 expeditions and covered >15,000nm for our cause. She is dearly loved by us all because without her OceansWatch would never have been able to have started in the first place. The skipper will need blue water experience and at least Yacht Master qualifications as well as a strong commitment to conservation and a pride in your vessel! Being a qualified diver would be great as would a marine biology background but neither are essential. We can assist you to get dive qualifications at very favourable rates through one of our sponsors.
Refit starts late February with our ETD New Zealand May 5. Magic Roundabout will work in Vanuatu this year then will either go to Australia for 6 weeks on an awareness building trip or will sail straight back to NZ by the end of November 2011. There will be up to three others on board including marine biologists and divers. Working with OceansWatch is full-on, fun and very rewarding. Whilst in Vanuatu the OceansWatch team on Magic Roundabout will be working with Vanuatu Fisheries and Vanuatu Reef Check. As skipper you will be representing OceansWatch and most likely work alongside OceansWatch members on their yachts. This is a great chance for a skipper who wants to use their skills to really make a difference! Ideally you will be able to volunteer for this position but a small stipend to cover expenses may be available. Please send your C.V. and a covering letter to [e-mail].

Engineer on Moksha: Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and PNG.

Moksha, our loaned 54’ Hanse needs a multi talented engineer for the 2011 season, from late April to late November. You would join the boat in Sydney in early May for her delivery then stay onboard for the entire project. Moksha will visit Vanuatu, The Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea and then go to Cairns, Australia at the end of the season. From Cairns she will sail slowly to Sydney, stopping at all main centres on the way down the coast to promote OceansWatch to cruisers and yacht clubs.
We would prefer an engineer with additional skills including diving. Other skills such as environmental or marine science, education training, film making etc can all really help us too. Working with OceansWatch is full-on, fun and very rewarding. This is a great chance for an engineer who wants to use their skills to really make a difference in the world. If you are part of a couple and your partner has skills or qualifications that would also be suitable for OceansWatch we would be very happy to consider a joint application.
Please send your C.V. and a covering letter to [e-mail]