A 118-year-old sailing vessel has helped volunteers recover more than a tonne of marine waste from hard-to-reach coastlines around Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Clean Ocean Sailing (COS) spent three weeks travelling aboard The Annette, using the traditional vessel to reach remote beaches and coves where plastic and other rubbish had accumulated.
The expedition saw a 16-strong volunteer crew carry out clean-ups across nine islands, as well as around the Helford River, where the marine conservation organisation has its headquarters.
By the end of the trip, more than a tonne of plastic and other man-made waste had been removed from the coastline.
Clean Ocean Sailing specialises in using sailing vessels to tackle pollution in locations which can be difficult to access and clear from the land.
The approach allows volunteers to reach isolated stretches of coastline before loading recovered rubbish onto the vessel and transporting it away.
The latest expedition was backed by members of the public who donated through a crowdfunding campaign, together with support from organisations and businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Those supporting the project included the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, Voices of Water Foundation, Isles of Scilly Travel, Seaware, Footman James, Ann’s Pasties and Wild Tribe Heroes.
Attention will now turn to finding out exactly what the volunteers brought back.
Clean Ocean Sailing is planning workshops involving schools and the wider community, with people invited to help sort, count and weigh the recovered material.
Recording the waste will provide data about the marine pollution reaching local shores and help improve understanding of its potential effects on wildlife and the wider marine environment.
As much of the material as possible will then be recycled or repurposed rather than thrown away.
Recovered marine plastic and other materials can be transformed into products including kayaks, plant pots, mats, keyrings, dog leads and toys.
Local artists and businesses including Odyssey Innovation, Castaway Ropeworks, Ecotribo and One Blue Eye are among those helping to turn marine waste into useful new products.
Clean Ocean Sailing carries out regular conservation work aimed at removing pollution from the sea and coastline while encouraging communities to become involved in protecting the marine environment.
The organisation depends on volunteers, donations and community support to continue reaching areas where rubbish can otherwise remain for years.
People interested in supporting the charity, joining future clean-ups or helping fund further expeditions can find out more through Clean Ocean Sailing’s Crowdfunder.
Clean Ocean Sailing can also be followed on Instagram at @cleanoceansailing.
