Caribbean I: St Lucia to Sint Maarten

We set sail from St Lucia at the tail end of December, turquoise water, trade winds, the island’s volcanic peaks shrinking behind us as we head north through some of the most admired waters on the planet.

The Caribbean draws millions of visitors every year and with them comes a waste challenge that many of these islands, with limited infrastructure and finite land, are struggling to absorb. Passing Sint Eustatius, we sample the waters before arriving in Sint Maarten for land-based research.

What makes this region so fascinating – and so important to study – is its complexity. Dozens of nations and territories, each with their own policies, practices and resources, separated by short stretches of shared ocean. One island’s waste problem often becomes part of the whole region’s story.

We ring in the New Year somewhere on the water between St Lucia and Sint Maarten. There are worse places to reflect on the year ahead – and the work still to do.

S/V Sea Dragon is a 72ft, 90,000lb displacement steel hulled sailing vessel built in the UK in 2000. She is one of 11 yachts built for the Global Challenge Race – one of the longest, most demanding ocean voyages ever made with an upwind, west-about 32,000km circumnavigation.

The boat provides a superb platform for rugged capability, capacity, and efficiency with a naturally low environmental footprint. The British Maritime and Coastal Agency rate Sea Dragon to the highest standard of Category 0 All Oceans. Designed to thrive in the Southern Ocean and safely handle the world’s worst sailing conditions, the boat is also specifically set up for volunteer crew with limited sailing experience while reaching cruising speeds of up to 10 knots – she is a genuine ocean explorer.

Sea Dragon can accommodate up to 11 guest crew in comfortable sea berths. There are two heads with showers, a large well-stocked galley, and a comfortable salon with seating for the entire crew. With extensive sails, fresh-water making, tenders, medical supplies and almost 1kw of wind/solar power, the boat is equipped with everything needed for extended passage making are remote exploration.