Cariad’s leap into conservation: How a care worker became a Sea Ranger

Growing up in South Wales, Cariad Margetson spent her childhood beneath open skies, playing on a tree swing with her sisters, feet muddy from the land. Her first calling was in care, where empathy, dedication and resilience became her foundation. But over time, she began to feel an unnameable pull, a longing for something beyond the familiar.

It was her mother who first introduced her to the Sea Ranger Bootcamp that looked almost too good to be true. “At first, I could not believe it” Cariad laughs, “but then I thought, ‘What do I have to lose?’” At the time, she was working a job to fill the time and space between dreams. “Nothing was calling out to me,” she says, “and then, there it was – this chance for something so different.” And so, with a mix of fear and thrill, she signed up. On the first day of the Bootcamp a flood of doubt washed over her. “I thought, ‘What am I doing here?’” But the experience, she says, became one of the most meaningful decisions of her life.

Taking a leap of faith

The Bootcamp challenged Cariad in ways she had not expected. “I am not a people person,” she admits, and the Bootcamp seemed like it was pulling her far outside herself, pressing her to trust in others, to find a voice she rarely used.

Through intense teamwork, pushing herself to lead an obstacle course, and facing down her fears, Cariad found the confidence she had not realised she’d been missing. Standing at the front of the group, with her team cheering her on, she felt an unfamiliar sense of pride. In that moment, Cariad glimpsed something new within herself, a quiet power she had not seen before.

“I never thought I’d have it in me to lead, to step out in front.” The Bootcamp showed her a world where every decision, every task, mattered for something greater.

Pushing beyond comfort zones

Bootcamp experience was not a comfortable one – it was not meant to be. She faced moments of doubt and uncertainty, and her introverted nature felt challenged daily. “You just have to throw yourself into it and see what happens,” she recalls, describing how it felt to take those first leaps of trust, reaching out to people, pushing herself to connect.

“I thought I’d struggle with the interaction,” she reflects, “but when you are all in it together, friendships form fast.”

And there, amidst the sweat and laughter, Cariad found life-long connections.

A newfound passion for ocean conservation

As a dedicated Sea Ranger, Cariad quickly stood out for her resilience, curiosity, and commitment. These qualities paved the way for her to become a Senior Sea Ranger, a role reserved for those who demonstrate exceptional leadership and dedication. Now, as a Senior Sea Ranger, Cariad reflects on how much the role has taught her about the urgency of conservation. Before joining, Cariad confesses, “I never really thought about ocean conservation or even much about climate change. It did not seem relevant to me.” Yet, the vast expanse of the open sea has a way of working its way into your heart. Being on the water daily, studying marine life and understanding the fragility of these ecosystems, her perspective began to shift.

“I started to see just how big of an impact every small thing makes,” she shares. From bird and sea mammal observations to shipwreck monitoring, Cariad discovered a new passion. “These were not things I’d ever thought of doing, but now, I can’t imagine not being a part of it.”

Finding strength in community

For Cariad, the essence of the Sea Ranger Service is in its people. “It’s the team around you that makes all the difference,” she says, a touch of warmth in her voice. Bonded by shared challenges and adventures, Cariad and her fellow Sea Rangers have formed connections that reach beyond the job. “The friends I’ve made here, they are the kind of friends that last,” she reflects. The camaraderie, the shared purpose – it’s what makes the cold mornings on deck and the long days in out the field beautiful.

Guiding the next wave

As she now steps into the role of Senior Sea Ranger, Cariad feels both excitement and a touch of awe. “It’ll be strange to be on the other side, training others,” she admits. But in her journey from uncertain newcomer to a confident leader, Cariad has gained a story she hopes will inspire others.

Cariad’s advice to others who feel lost or unsure of their next steps?

“Just go for it. It’s never too late to take a chance and find out what else is out there.”

She knows the challenge and uncertainty that come with stepping into something new, and for her, it’s been a decision that’s transformed not only her career but her perspective on life itself.

Cariad’s journey is not one of clear paths or early ambition – it’s a testament to the beauty of unplanned paths, of opening up to the unknown. She knows what it means to stand at the edge of the familiar, to wonder if there is something more waiting beyond. For her, the Sea Ranger Service is more than an adventure; it was a transformation, one that taught her to lead, to love the ocean, and to trust in herself. And for those brave enough to dive into the unknown, she offers the wisdom of her journey:

“Sometimes, life’s most meaningful experiences come from the decisions that scare us the most.”