Setting sail with Sea Shepherd: Life as a Ships Doctor aboard a marine conservation project

Since its inception in 1977, marine conservation charity Sea Shepherd has earned a reputation for its fearless approach to defending seas across the world from the effects of illegal whaling and fishing activity.

After working through spring in a Covid-19 ICU, Arav escaped lockdown and found himself in a new form of isolation. His summer has been spent as ship doctor aboard Sea Shepherd’s ex-whaler flagship the M/V Bob Barker, patrolling Gabonese offshore territories against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

3.5 months on campaign has provided ample opportunities to practice remote healthcare as well as invaluable headspace to reflect on an unprecedented year. He’s learnt about the importance of human factors on expedition, why harnessing failure is essential for progress and even a little jungle etiquette on safari!

In his presentation, Arav will shed light on these themes and more, and of course, share the odd nautical tale or three – it’s not all been plain sailing!