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A chronicle of the Sea Ranger Service

Timeline

  • April

    Being awarded the Future for Nature award in 2016 for his innovative approach to ocean conservation, Wietse van der Werf uses the 50.000 euro award money to set up the Sea Ranger Service.

  • August

    The Mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb, officially launches the Sea Ranger Service in August 2016 together with the CEO of the Port of Rotterdam, Allard Castelein.

  • February 

    Work start on the first vessel to be constructed by the Sea Ranger Service: a 28.5 tonne steel-hulled sailing work vessel.

  • June

    A crowdfunding campaign aimed at raising an initial 250.000 euro strengthens the organisation in an early stage.

  • October

    Offered 15 minutes for a presentation on the Sea Ranger Service approach during the plenary session at the Our Oceans conference raises the profile of the organisation considerably.

  • March 

    When the first Sea Ranger Bootcamp was organised in 2018, a total of 47 participants joined for an intensive 5 week outdoor programme, led by former marines and navy veterans.

  • May 

    The first 12 Sea Rangers are selected and undergo additional training.

  • October 

    While awaiting the completion of the new Sea Ranger vessel, work at sea starts with a smaller, alternative vessel weighing 12 tonnes.

  • April 

    The Sea Ranger Service reaches a target of 1.5 million euro fundraised for its innovation development and programme implementation.

  • May 

    The Sea Ranger Service monitors protected shipwreck locations in the North Sea, registering over 3.751 observations, including digitally through satellite tracking.

  • September 

    Sea Rangers take 99 samples of plastics pollution in the North Sea for research institute NIOZ, researching the effects of climate change on plastics pollution.

  • May 

    In collaboration with OceanMind, a total of 4.345 digital and physical observations are made during patrols to monitor protected areas in the North Sea.

  • August 

    Four Sea Rangers are trained as certified drone pilots, to inspect cargo ships out of the Port of Rotterdam is launched in partnership with the Dutch government maritime safety agency ILT and expanded to continue in 2021.

  • April 

    Carrying out sampling of chlorophyll to research changes in the ocean’s nutrient level due to climate change and pollution, Sea Rangers store samples in special freezers onboard the vessel at -80°C.

  • May 

    Virginijus Sinkevičius, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries visits the Sea Ranger Service ship and voices support for the entrepreneurial approach of the company.

  • March 

    Eight new Sea Rangers are selected and trained for full-time employment on board the Sea Ranger Service vessel.

  • March 

    Chief Development Officer Effie Baert announces the launch of the Sea Ranger Academy: a new franchising programme to recruit and train entrepreneurs as franchisees to replicate the Sea Ranger Service model.

  • April 

    The Sea Ranger Service is assigned by the Dutch Environment Ministry to monitor Marine Protected Areas in the North Sea.

  • March

    Yet another Sea Ranger Bootcamp is conducted in the Netherlands.

  • April

    After successfully completing the Sea Ranger Bootcamp, the brand new Sea Rangers are readied for action.

  • May-October

    Sea Rangers monitored protected shipwreck sites in the North Sea – for the fifth consecutive year. By now, Sea Rangers have sailed over 3,000 miles to monitor these protected heritage sites.

  • July

    With the establishment of a dedicated seagrass restoration team, the Sea Rangers’ work has expanded to other countries.  Sea Rangers are instrumental in restoring seagrass in the Netherlands, France and the UK, with seed collection and monitoring efforts carried out in Denmark, Germany and Spain.

  • October

    The Sea Ranger Service tested hydrographic surveying technology from the sailing vessel. The equipment allows to accurately map the seabed and any underwater infrastructure, which can assist restoration and conservation efforts.

  • March

    First ever Sea Ranger Bootcamp in the UK is conduced, welcoming participants from across the country to experience the rigorous training and personal growth that define the programme.

  • May

    The first ever UK Sea Rangers are selected.

  • June

    In partnership with the Crown Estate, Sea Rangers conduct wildlife monitoring in the Celtic Sea as part of a multi-year surveying programme in support of floating offshore wind development.

  • November

    The Sea Ranger Service’s work gained special recognition at the House of Lords; celebrating the organisation’s innovative approach to ocean conservation and youth development. The prestigious acknowledgment from Lord Teverson and Lord Randall highlights the growing impact of the Sea Ranger Service mission and the importance of empowering young people to choose maritime trades, in combination with nature restoration.

  • April

    Queen Máxima christens the Sea Ranger Service’s new vessel, SRS Janet Taylor, that marks a major step in decarbonising the maritime industry and expanding youth training and conservation efforts.

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