Launch of the COAST Explorer

Friday 19th and Saturday 20th May saw the launch of the COAST Explorer 

Following the designation of the No Take Zone in Lamlash Bay in 2008 the RV COAST Explorer began as a wish list some 13 years ago. With the subsequent community campaign and designation of the wider South Arran Marine Protected Area in 2014, the COAST team and university collaborators carrying out research realised that a larger vessel would be required to expand their monitoring programme, instead of borrowing ribs and the occasional hire of a local fishing craft.

This became a reality two years ago when the project was supported by the Nature Restoration Fund, which is administered by the Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund and facilitated by Nature Scot. The boat also received generous funding from Fauna and Flora Arcadia and the Blue Marine Foundation. Finally, Phantom Marine, a boatyard in Great Yarmouth, was selected as the chosen builder. In November last year, the 9 Metre bespoke catamaran (custom designed) was released from the yard and delivered to Ardrossan. Once a weather window occurred the vessel was sailed to Lamlash and safely stored on the hard, as part of a landmark partnership with the Arran Outdoor Education Centre.

The winter period was used to fit additional research equipment and to prepare the vessel for trials in the Spring, leading to the official launch events in May. These included a funders event on Friday 19th May for funding partners, cross-party politicians including the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition, Mairi McAllan, who launched the RV COAST Explorer on her maiden voyage. The event was also attended by Katy Clark Scottish Labour MSP, representatives from Marine Scotland, North Ayrshire Council, Marine Conservation Society, Fish Legal and key research collaborator, Dr Bryce Stewart.

Commenting before attending the launch Katy Clark, Scottish Labour MSP for West Scotland, said: “I’m pleased to join marine campaigners and the wider Arran community in celebrating the launch of this vital research vessel.

“As a long time ambassador of COAST, I am very aware of the wonderful work they do in promoting marine conservation and educating future generations about how to best make a difference. This vessel enables them to continue in that vein, as well as monitor the recovery of the waters around Arran and surrounding areas.

“I hope that the arrival of this vessel will enable will allow the island to realise the potential of its marine conservation areas and raise its profile as a destination for environmental education and eco-tourism.”

On Saturday 20th a community launch party was held to thank the support of the community and welcome the vessel to the island with over 300 people in attendance. The Arran Pipe band and Arran Brass band provided the music (see video below), whilst over 70 people took part in free taster trips around Lamlash Bay to experience COAST Explorer.

For person’s who didn’t get a chance to participate in a taster trip, a special prize draw selected 10 lucky winners as recipients of two tickets on board a full citizen science trip at a later date. Those trips will offer the opportunity to actively contribute to COAST’s ongoing research and monitoring programme by helping with data collection whilst out on the water. As well as public trips, school pupils from AOEC and further afield will also be tasked with helping to collect valuable data that supports the marine restoration work of COAST, as well as offering a unique opportunity to get out on the water, alleviate climate anxiety and train the next generation of future marine scientists.

J. Henderson, COAST trustee. All photo credits: J. Henderson