Beach clean-up efforts with Opal in Reykjavík
Our Schooner Opal set sail for a mission to clean the beach of Engey Island in Faxaflói Bay with nearly 40 participants, including students from the Technical College led by their teacher and our captain Sigríður “Sigga” Ólafsdóttir.
The cleanup was a great teamwork and a collaboration with many local organisations. This collective effort got worrying results, as the team removed approximately 1800 kg of trash, ranging from fishing equipment to harbor-oriented debris.
Teaching Beyond the Classroom
Sigga is a multitasking talent – an organiser of sailing events, a captain, and last but not least, the teacher of marine environmental science for the students at the School of Navigation and Marine Engineering at the Technical College. Following last year’s beach clean-up efforts, this time Sigga led a group of students on a clean-up trip with Opal from Reykjavík, showing the reality of the waters and shorelines of Faxaflói Bay. This hands-on experience was an eye-opener for many and inspired their commitment to care for our environment. The fieldwork was greatly appreciated by the students as a hands-on experience with Opal as their floating real-life classroom.
Collaboration and Community
The success of the beach clean-up was not a solo effort. Supporting partners of the projects included Faxaflóahafnir (The Associated Icelandic Ports), The Technical College, The Environment Agency of Iceland, Ársæll Rescue Team and Seiglurnar (Team of female sailors).
Music and melodies onboard
The group also received a warm welcome back in Reykjavík harbour, when musician Sigtryggur Baldursson, also known as Bogomil Font, jumped onboard and played a few songs with environmental themes resonating through the melodies.
Opal the perfect educational platform
Opal, the hybrid electric sailboat, is a perfect platform to run environmental projects and expeditions. Opal’s work doesn’t end with a single beach clean-up. The vessel is gearing up for future adventures and sailing tours in Reykjavík this winter.
We are also looking forward to welcoming another group of students for next year’s beach cleanup as Sigga and her crew are planning for this to become an annual tradition onboard schooner Opal.
