Caring for the ocean: Reflections from Rapa Nui
On a traditional tall ship like Bark EUROPA, the ocean is more than a route between continents. It’s a living environment, one shaped by winds, currents, wildlife, and the traces of human activity that reach even the most distant shores.
Our approach to sustainability is grounded in something simple and practical: use only what we need, understand the environments we visit, and contribute to the scientific knowledge that helps protect them.
From microplastic sampling to wildlife observations and collaborative fieldwork, each voyage becomes a moving platform for marine research. Our partners, including universities, environmental organisations, and initiatives like The Ocean Cleanup, transform these observations into meaningful data.
A Day on Rapa Nui
During our visit to Rapa Nui, our permanent crew and voyage crew joined Te Mau o Te Vaikava o Rapa Nui and representatives from The Ocean Cleanup for a shoreline cleanup and research day.
What we found was striking: plastic fragments carried across the Pacific, settled among volcanic rocks on one of the world’s most remote islands. These fragments tell a story of global ocean movement, and of the shared responsibility to understand and reduce our impact.
The work was hands-on, grounded, and quietly powerful. It also led to an unexpected moment: the municipality of Rapa Nui declared May 16th “Bark Europa Day.”
For us, this recognition is not about achievement, but about connection, a reflection of the collaboration between our ship, the island’s community, and ongoing conservation efforts.
Returning to the Island
Later this season, EUROPA will once again sail from the Galápagos to Rapa Nui. As we return, we carry with us the experience of last year’s cleanup and the commitment to continue supporting research and local initiatives wherever possible.
We travel with the intent to learn, contribute when we can, and encourage awareness among those who join us.
