On November 27, the House of Lords welcomed the Sea Ranger Service for an exclusive event, showcasing the organisation’s pioneering work in maritime conservation and youth development. Hosted in the iconic halls of Westminster, the event brought together members of parliament, industry leaders, military representatives and government agency officials to explore how the Sea Ranger Service is charting a new course for UK coastal communities, as well as meeting maritime sector needs, combined with ocean conservation and nature restoration.
Sea Rangers were individually recognised with Lord Teverson present them with Tudor Rose brooches, as a symbol of unity, in support of the rangers’ valuable efforts for the UK maritime and ocean conservation sectors.
Wietse van der Werf, the Founder, CEO of the Sea Ranger Service then shared the organisation’s mission to restore ocean biodiversity while empowering young people with meaningful careers in maritime industries. He emphasised the unique dual focus of the Sea Ranger Service: ecological impact and social innovation. “We believe the future of ocean conservation lies in bold collaboration,” said Mr. Van der Werf. “By training young people as Sea Rangers, we not only protect marine ecosystems but also invest in the next generation of maritime professionals.”
As the presentations and discussions unfolded, the Sea Ranger Service’s message was clear: preserving ocean health requires urgent, united efforts. The event highlighted the importance of building partnerships across sectors, from government and maritime businesses to military veterans, youth and community organisations – with social impact for UK coastal communities at the forefront.
Stories from the Sea Rangers
The event also gave young Sea Rangers a chance to share their experiences and aspirations. Sea Ranger Amy Pedder reflected on the individual impact the project had on her: “Joining the Sea Ranger Service has been a turning point for me. I’ve gained practical skills such as ship navigation, which will be invaluable in shaping my future career.”
Sea Ranger Harry Partridge had a different motivation: “I wanted to become a Sea Ranger to start feeling like I’m doing a valuable thing to improve the environment.” Sea Ranger Molly King studied marine biology previously. “I’ve always loved the ocean. After studying at Swansea University, I could not find a job because I didn’t have the right experience. But now I have the skills and the knowledge to progress.”
A closer look at the fleet
Following the event, attendees toured the SV Fantastiko; the offshore work vessel of the Sea Ranger Service. The tours took place at HMS President by Tower Bridge in central London. Hosted by the Royal Navy at this naval establishment, guests were led by Sea Rangers. Offering hands-on insights into critical responsibilities such as shipwreck monitoring, hydrographic surveying and sea mammal observation, Sea Rangers were able to share their personal experiences on a working life at sea. Guests were offered a chance to see the impact first-hand; how the SV Fantastiko embodies the Sea Ranger Service’s commitment to sustainability, operating as a ship with a low-carbon footprint, given it is primarily powered by wind.
Ashley Curnow, Divisional Port Manager for Wales and the South West at Associated British Ports, remarked: “I have been impressed with the professionalism, dedication and commitment of all the Sea Rangers I have met. The Sea Ranger Service is a fantastic social enterprise, providing maritime training and employment opportunities, which is particularly relevant to our South Wales coastal locations, where we can collaborate to inspire the next generation towards a maritime career.”
The next offshore generation
After the events at the House of Lords and the Royal Navy’s HMS President, Sea Rangers joined close to 100 attendees at the head office of The Crown Estate. Celebrating the partnership between the two organisations, staff at The Crown Estate and Sea Rangers shared experiences of their collaborative work in the Celtic Sea, where Sea Rangers carried out wildlife monitoring in May-August 2024.
The work, which has been carried out in support of The Crown Estate’s Round 5 Celtic Sea offshore wind leasing process, was focused on collecting necessary data for environmental assessments as pre-development surveys in aid of future construction of floating offshore wind farms. With the foreseen expansion of offshore wind in the region, the expectation is for up to 5.000 new jobs to be created in South Wales alone, with Sea Rangers as the first new local recruits trained and deployed for such offshore work.
Watch the video to learn more about the partnership between The Crown Estate and the Sea Ranger Service.
A milestone for the Sea Ranger Service UK
The event marked a significant step for the Sea Ranger Service, which began operations earlier this year, based out of Port Talbot, Wales. Engaging with a multitude of partners and stakeholders during the central London events provided an opportunity to showcase the organisation’s mission and accomplishments to a distinguished audience, fostering mutual understanding and dialogue around maritime conservation, social impact and sustainable practices.
Beyond the events, the Sea Ranger Service continues to strengthen its foundation to scale its approach and impact to other UK regions. The organisation wishes to extend a special thank you to Lord Teverson, Lord Randall, and the teams at The Crown Estate, Royal Navy, House of Lords, St. Katharine Docks, Howden and Associated British Ports for their valuable support and willingness to host the Sea Ranger Service in central London.
