COAST Explorer Survey

COAST are excited to share their amazing new asset, the COAST Explorer, to help support their marine restoration activities, and they want to make sure they use the boat to maximum benefit for the widest groups of people. COAST have set up a survey to gather the community’s input on how the boat could be used and how it may best support plans for research, education, citizen science and other activities.

COAST write:

Now that our amazing new boat is here we want to hear from YOU! How would you like to see COAST Explorer used?

At the start of November, amidst changeable weather and last-minute technical additions, COAST finally received official ownership of our brand new, custom designed and hand-crafted boat, COAST Explorer. On the 12th November, she travelled over from Ardrossan marina, and was hauled out onto the hard-standing at the Arran Outdoor Education Centre, where she will now rest over the winter.

The bespoke design includes a fully customizable and accessible deck which can be adapted to either fit enough seats for its 12 passenger capacity, a wet laboratory table or a completely clear deck, depending on the needs of the research or outreach project. There is also a pot hauler for crustacean research, a ladder for diver & snorkeller surveys and a roomy wheelhouse and toilet for comfort while onboard.

Now, it’s time to look to the future and hatch some plans for the start of this exciting new chapter in COAST’s history.
Specifically, the boat will form a central part of our vision to expand and develop our scientific research and monitoring projects, citizen science outreach opportunities and marine education programme.

We can’t wait to share COAST Explorer with as many people as possible. Whether you’re a local island resident, community organisation, education group, school, researcher or visitor, if you have ideas for how we could use COAST Explorer, we would love to hear from you!

What do you want from COAST Explorer? Let us know what you think our priorities should be through our survey:

Image credits: COAST