Wanted: Crew Member to Sea Expedition

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Electrolux and the well renowned research organization 5 Gyres are going on a joint expedition where Electrolux and 5 Gyres are trawling the South Atlantic for plastic. In addition, Electrolux and 5 Gyres are inviting one devotee to join the expedition through Beagle Channel to Valdivia, Chile as a part of the crew.

Wanted: Crew member

Within the framework of the Vac from the sea project, Electrolux are to recruit one of the crew members to 5 Gyres expedition in March. The expedition will be leaving Beagle Channel on March 3rd and will be at sea for eleven days before they reach the final destination of Valdivia, Chile on March 14th. The expedition is beyond ordinary. It’s not a vacation; the crew member is onboard to work. Whoever gets the chance of being a crew member on the boat will also be asked to report and provide information about the expedition and its discoveries on the Vac from the sea-blog.

The crew member must…

  • Have a genuine interest in environmental issues, particularly in plastic marine pollution

  • Be a experienced writer and photographer

  • Be a team player who’s willing to do his share of crew duties (helping with shifts, cooking, cleaning and assisting researches when needed)

  • Not get seasick easily

  • Able to swim 200m

  • Able to lift 1/3 their body weight

  • Prepared to work odd hours

  • Speak functional English

How to apply:
Anyone who wants to become a crew member on the expedition can apply by recording a short film in which he or she tells their name, place of living, why exactly he or she is suited and how their presence would contribute to the journey. The film should be placed on Youtube and the link sent to electrolux@vacfromthesea.com. Last day to apply is January 31st, 2011.

For more information on how to apply, please visit The Vac From The Sea blog

Trawling for plastic
The 5 Gyres mission is to conduct research and communicate about the global impact of plastic pollution in the world’s ocean. On the expedition that sails between Walvis Bay, Namibia to Montevideo, Uruguay (Jan 5th – Feb 4th), Electrolux and 5 Gyres will be trawling the South of the Atlantic, for plastic. The plastic will be analyzed at the lab in Redondo Beach, CA, and later sent to Electrolux to be a part of the Vac from the sea exhibition.

About Vac from the sea:

To inspire people in solving the plastic paradox and bring awareness to the plastic environmental situation, one of the world’s largest home appliance makers, Electrolux, has with the help of organizations gathered plastic waste from the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic Sea and the North Sea and turned the gathered plastic into five unique vacuum cleaners. The global initiative aims to bring attention to the issue of plastic pollution and at the same time combat the scarcity of recycled plastics needed for making sustainable home appliances.

Short video featuring the Vacs from the Sea: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAetcxXJRME 

www.twitter.com/vacfromthesea 

5 Gyres

This would, in my opinion, be the opportunity of a lifetime for the right candidate, which, alas, is not me. I don't think my sporting skills are up to scratch anymore as regards to swimming, especially. Therefore, I would leave the field to the younger ones.

© 2011