Frequently Asked Questions

Expedition Audacity brings together people with very different backgrounds. Some join us as researchers or mariners. Others are educators, filmmakers, engineers, students, communicators, or volunteers looking to gain experience in a new field.

What matters most isn't your job title. It's what you're willing to contribute, how you work with others, and your willingness to keep learning.

If you're unsure whether your experience is relevant, don't assume the answer is no. Some of the most valuable skills aboard have come from people who never expected there would be a place for them on a research vessel.

Some expedition roles require professional qualifications or previous experience. Others are designed for people who are still learning, building confidence, or looking for their first opportunity to work at sea.

We're not looking for people who know everything. We're looking for people who arrive prepared, ask thoughtful questions, and are willing to learn from those around them.

If you're early in your career, don't let that stop you. Every experienced researcher, captain, engineer, educator, and filmmaker once stepped aboard for the first time.

Technical skills are important, but they're only part of the picture.

We're looking for people who take responsibility, communicate openly, treat others with respect, and stay calm when plans change. Life aboard works best when everyone is willing to lend a hand, share what they know, and keep learning from one another.

Nobody gets everything right every time. What matters is how you respond, how you support your crew, and how you contribute to the expedition as a whole.

Expedition Audacity is built almost entirely by volunteers. From our Board of Directors to expedition crew, educators, researchers, filmmakers, and many of the people working behind the scenes, they're here because they believe this work matters.

We know that not everyone can step away from work for months at a time. Many of our volunteers work remotely and continue with their regular careers while aboard, fitting their work around the expedition schedule whenever possible. With satellite internet available throughout much of our operating area, that flexibility allows people to stay connected while contributing to the mission.

As Expedition Audacity grows, we hope to create more paid opportunities across our programmes. Until then, we're building something together because we believe exploration, education, and conservation are worth investing our time in.

If you've spent any time exploring our website or social media, you've probably noticed a certain dog appearing rather frequently.

That's Admiral Whiskey.

Whiskey accompanies the Captain on expedition and has become a familiar face aboard Expedition Audacity. Whether greeting visitors alongside the dock, keeping watch from the bridge, or supervising absolutely everything with great enthusiasm, he's very much part of the crew.

Whiskey is also a trained service dog. That allows him to travel with the Captain, even where pets would normally not be permitted aboard international vessels.

As much as we love animals, that exemption applies only to Whiskey. Crew members and guests should plan on leaving their own pets safely at home.

One of the best parts of expedition life is gathering around the table at the end of the day.

Our Chef prepares breakfast, lunch, and dinner six days a week. On Sundays, the tradition changes a little. The Captain cooks breakfast, while the crew takes turns preparing lunch and dinner. It has become one of those small traditions that makes every voyage a little different.

Our standard menu includes meat, poultry, and fish. The Chef does their best to include meat-free options with each meal, but we're preparing one meal for the entire crew rather than operating as a restaurant. We have one galley, one set of cookware, and individual meal preparation isn't practical aboard a working research vessel.

Vegetarians have always eaten well aboard. We haven't yet hosted a vegan crew member, so we can't honestly promise we'll meet every dietary requirement. If you have allergies, medical dietary needs, or other restrictions, please let us know before applying so we can discuss whether we can safely accommodate them.

On longer expeditions, particularly in remote regions such as the Arctic, fresh fruit and vegetables aren't always easy to replace. When supplies become limited, food is carefully managed by the Chef to ensure everyone has enough until our next opportunity to restock.

Even the Captain doesn't get extra dessert.

Life at sea depends on people being able to rely on one another at any hour of the day or night. Emergencies don't wait until your watch begins, which is why we expect every crew member to remain fit to respond if they're needed.

Alcohol is permitted only within clearly defined limits. While the vessel is underway, the Captain may choose to hold a Captain's Cocktail in the evening. Participation is limited to one drink per person, and anyone currently on watch, or due to begin a watch within the next four hours, is not permitted to take part. Personal supplies of alcohol are not allowed aboard, and consuming alcohol outside these guidelines while underway will normally result in dismissal at the next port.

When the vessel is securely alongside or at anchor, alcohol may be enjoyed in moderation while off duty. Consumption must end no later than twelve hours before the scheduled departure time.

Expedition Audacity is also a smoke-free and vape-free vessel. Smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere on board, including the open deck. Open flames present an unnecessary fire risk aboard a vessel, particularly around fuel, oxygen, and scientific equipment.

The use of recreational drugs is not permitted under any circumstances. When alongside, crew are expected to comply with the laws of the country we're visiting. At sea, we operate under the laws of our flag state, Panama. Even where substances such as cannabis are legal ashore, they are not permitted aboard Expedition Audacity. The use of recreational drugs or the misuse of prescription medication will result in dismissal from the expedition.

These aren't flexible policies.

They're part of the responsibility every one of us accepts when we choose to go to sea together.

Expedition Audacity is equipped with Starlink, allowing us to stay connected even in some of the world's most remote places. That connection supports everything from scientific operations and weather updates to communications with our partners, educators, hospitals, and families back home.

Crew are welcome to use the internet during their free time for email, messaging, browsing, and other everyday tasks. However, offshore bandwidth is both limited and expensive. Streaming services, video calls, large downloads, cloud backups, and other high-bandwidth activities are restricted unless approved by the Captain.

The internet aboard is a shared resource. Heavy use by one person can affect everyone else's ability to stay connected, and in some operating areas, excessive usage could leave the entire crew without internet access until the next billing period.

Think of it as expedition Wi-Fi, not home broadband.

Your health and safety are important to us. Every crew member is responsible for letting us know about any medical conditions, allergies, or medications that could affect them during an expedition. The more we know before departure, the better prepared we can be if something unexpected happens.

Captain Red is a retired Paramedic and Firefighter and serves as Expedition Audacity's Medical Officer. We're also fortunate that many expeditions include doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals among the crew. Even so, a vessel at sea is never a substitute for a hospital, so planning ahead is essential.

If you take prescription medication, bring enough to cover your entire expedition and leave a repeat prescription with your emergency contact whenever possible. If replacement medication becomes necessary, they'll be in the best position to arrange for it to be sent to you.

If you have diabetes, significant allergies, a mental health condition, or any other medical concern that may affect your time aboard, please speak with the Captain before your expedition. These conversations aren't about excluding people. They're about understanding any additional planning or support that may be needed to keep everyone safe.

Seasickness is more common than most people expect, especially during the first few days. Don't let that discourage you. We have plenty of practical ways to help, and for most people it improves as their body adjusts to life at sea.

Every Expedition Audacity crew member is provided with a Global Rescue membership for the duration of their expedition. Should a serious medical emergency occur, it includes emergency medical evacuation and repatriation to a hospital in your home country when required.

Women's Health: Ready For Wherever We Go.

Ladies, please remember that some of our expeditions operate far from towns, pharmacies, or even regular supply ships. If you'll need menstrual products during your voyage, please bring enough to last for the entire expedition, along with a little extra in case plans change or weather delays our return.

We do carry a small emergency supply aboard, but it should be treated as exactly that—an emergency reserve rather than your primary supply.

The reason is simple. When you're hundreds of miles from the nearest shop, replacements may not be available for days or even weeks. Besides, every engineer aboard knows one of the quickest ways to remove water from a fuel tank is with a tampon, so our emergency supply occasionally ends up solving mechanical problems as well. According to the crew who've had to use the engineering reserve... they're perfectly functional, but they wouldn't be anyone's first choice.

Life aboard a research vessel is comfortable, but space is always at a premium. Cabins are shared, and becoming a good roommate is simply part of expedition life.

Most cabins sleep between two and four people using individual bunks. We also have a small number of double cabins that may be allocated to couples travelling together. Unless requested otherwise, we assign cabins by gender.

Each crew member has enough storage for a large duffel bag, along with a little hanging space for clothing and foul-weather gear. You'll quickly discover that bringing less usually makes life aboard easier.

Some cabins have their own bathroom, while others share facilities with a neighbouring cabin. Every crew member has access to hot showers, but fresh water is one of the vessel's most valuable resources. Please keep showers to five minutes or less. Showers are there to get you clean, not to recreate a spa day.

Laundry facilities are available aboard and are shared by the whole crew. We'll work through them by rotation so everyone gets a chance to wash their clothes. One small piece of advice... don't leave your laundry sitting in the machine once it's finished. Don't be surprised if you find Admiral Whiskey proudly wandering the passageway wearing your underwear. Consider it motivation to collect your laundry on time.

Even when we're operating hundreds of miles offshore, you're never completely cut off from home.

Friends and family are always welcome to contact our Toronto office if they need to reach you. Our Office Manager, Kelsey, maintains direct communication with the vessel and has access to our satellite phone 24 hours a day. If there's an urgent message, we'll make sure it reaches you as quickly as possible.

The vessel also carries a satellite phone for emergencies, but satellite calls are expensive—currently more than $2.50 per minute—so we reserve it for situations where it's genuinely needed. For day-to-day conversations, messaging services such as WhatsApp are usually the best option whenever our internet connection allows.

If there's a family emergency at home, don't worry about whether you should interrupt the expedition. That's exactly what we're here for. Kelsey will contact the vessel, we'll get the information to you, and together we'll work out the best way forward. Sometimes that's simply making sure you can speak with your family. Sometimes it means arranging for you to leave the expedition at the next practical opportunity.

Family always comes first.

Joining an expedition shouldn't feel like navigating hidden costs. We try to keep things as straightforward as possible, so you know exactly what Expedition Audacity covers and what remains your responsibility.

Once you step aboard, your accommodation and meals are fully provided by Expedition Audacity. Laundry facilities are also available at no cost, so there's no need to budget for washing clothes during your voyage.

We'll arrange and pay for your travel to the vessel at the beginning of your agreed contract and your journey home once it ends. All flights are booked by our Office Manager and are provided in economy class. If you'd prefer to upgrade your seat or make changes for personal reasons, you're welcome to do so at your own expense.

Depending on your travel itinerary, we'll also cover hotel accommodation where it's reasonably required to get you safely to or from the vessel. If visas or entry permits are needed specifically because you're joining or leaving one of our expeditions, we'll take care of those as well.

Personal purchases, souvenirs, extra sightseeing, and other discretionary spending are your responsibility.

The vessel also keeps a modest weekly budget for alcohol. We enjoy sharing a drink together from time to time, and during group meals ashore or special occasions the Captain may choose to cover drinks within reason. If the crew decides to spend an evening out exploring the local pubs, however, that's on you. Besides, if we exceed the weekly budget too often, our livers will probably appreciate a few days off.

People often imagine life aboard a research vessel as eighteen-hour days, every day.

Sometimes it is.

When the weather is perfect, the whales are nearby, or we're trying to finish a survey before conditions change, everyone pitches in. Those are the days you'll crawl into your bunk completely exhausted.

Then there are other days.

We'll anchor in a beautiful bay, launch the tenders, and spend the afternoon exploring a village, hiking to the top of a volcano, swimming beneath a waterfall, or discovering somewhere none of us has ever been before. Expedition life has a rhythm of its own, and learning when to work hard and when to enjoy where you are is part of the adventure.

Of course, if your idea of downtime is a good book rather than climbing a mountain, that's perfectly fine too. We have quiet corners to read, movie nights aboard, and plenty of opportunities to simply sit on deck and watch the world drift by.

We also spend a great deal of time ashore. Once we've arrived in an area and the vessel is anchored or moored, everyone heads off in different directions. Researchers pursue their fieldwork, anthropologists visit local communities, filmmakers start rolling cameras, and others explore or lend a hand wherever they're needed.

The truth is, "work" feels a little different when it involves doing the thing you love in places most people only dream of visiting.

We're also filming an adventure documentary about the crew of a research vessel, so exploring ports, meeting local people, and experiencing the places we visit isn't a distraction from the expedition.

It's part of the story.

If you've never spent much time at sea, there's a good chance you're wondering about seasickness.

The honest answer is simple: it happens.

Even experienced sailors can have an off day when the weather turns unpleasant or the swell starts moving in unexpected directions. It's nothing to be embarrassed about, and it certainly doesn't mean you aren't cut out for expedition life.

The biggest mistake people make is trying to tough it out in silence. Tell us as soon as you start feeling unwell. Captain Red and the First Mate have spent enough years at sea to recognise the signs long before most people do, and there are plenty of simple tricks that can make a big difference if we catch it early.

The good news is that most people adapt surprisingly quickly. Your body usually finds its sea legs after a day or two, and before long you'll wonder why you were worried in the first place.

Besides, seasickness is almost a rite of passage. We've all looked a little green over the side of a boat at some point. You're not joining an exclusive club... you're joining a very large one.

We love having crew who enjoy photography and sharing their experiences. Some of the best photographs we've ever used have been taken by people who joined us for a single expedition.

That said, Expedition Audacity is also producing an adventure documentary following the lives of the crew aboard a research vessel. If everyone shares the biggest discoveries, funniest moments, and most spectacular locations on social media before the series is released, there won't be much left for audiences to discover.

For that reason, all crew members are asked to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement and a production agreement before joining the expedition. You're welcome to share your experience, but we'll ask you to keep certain moments, discoveries, and behind-the-scenes footage confidential until they're ready to be released.

The same principle applies to the science. Many of the researchers we support are collecting data that hasn't yet been published. Please don't post photographs, videos, or information that could compromise their work before they're ready to share it themselves.

We also ask everyone to be thoughtful when photographing wildlife and the communities who welcome us into their homes. Sensitive wildlife locations should never be shared publicly, and some Indigenous communities prefer that certain places, ceremonies, or even individuals aren't photographed. If you're ever unsure, simply ask first. We'll always let you know when cameras should stay in your bag.

We want you to leave with incredible photographs and memories you'll treasure for the rest of your life. We simply ask that you help us protect the stories that aren't ready to be told just yet.

Safety isn't something that's handled by the Captain, the First Mate, or whoever happens to be wearing the nicest lifejacket.

It's something every person aboard is responsible for.

One of the first things you'll learn on Expedition Audacity is that anyone can stop a job if they think something isn't right. It doesn't matter whether you've been at sea for thirty years or thirty minutes. If something doesn't look safe, say so. We'll stop, have a look, and work out the best way forward together.

I've spent much of my career responding to emergencies, and I've learned that accidents rarely appear out of nowhere. More often, somebody noticed something didn't feel right but assumed someone else had already seen it.

I'd much rather be interrupted by a false alarm than spend the rest of the day wishing someone had spoken up.

Working at sea means weather changes, equipment fails, people get tired, and plans sometimes have to change. None of that is unusual. What matters is recognising it early and adjusting before a small problem becomes a big one.

Looking after yourself is part of looking after the crew. Looking after the crew is part of looking after the mission.

That's how we operate.

One of the hardest parts of running Expedition Audacity is that we simply can't take everyone who wants to join us.

Sometimes we receive far more applications than we have bunks available. Other times we're looking for a particular skill or qualification to support a research project. We may already have three marine biologists aboard and be searching for an engineer, a medic, a filmmaker, or someone with a completely different background.

Timing also plays a part. A voyage that would have been perfect for you this year may not line up with your availability, or visa requirements may make joining a particular expedition impractical. Occasionally a role is filled by someone returning to continue work they started on a previous voyage.

None of those things mean you weren't a strong applicant.

If you aren't selected, don't assume the answer is "no." More often than not, it's simply "not this time."

Many of the people sailing with us today applied more than once before the right opportunity came along. If Expedition Audacity feels like the kind of place where you'd like to spend your time, we'd encourage you to stay in touch, keep building your experience, and apply again in the future.

The ocean isn't going anywhere.

Neither are we.

One of the first questions we ask ourselves when planning an expedition is how to keep our environmental footprint as small as possible. That doesn't just apply to the vessel. It also applies to the people travelling to and from it.

For that reason, we always give first consideration to applicants who can join us for an entire voyage. Every crew change means additional flights, more ground transportation, and a larger carbon footprint. If we can avoid unnecessary travel, we will.

Expedition logistics also make frequent crew changes impossible. We never fly people into remote locations where there isn't a reliable commercial airline network. If a voyage begins in Newfoundland and heads through the Northwest Passage, your next opportunity to leave the vessel may be Anchorage or Vancouver, depending on weather, routing, and your visa requirements. Likewise, if we're crossing from North America into the South Pacific, you won't be joining halfway across the Pacific. You'll board in Mexico, and your next practical opportunity to leave the expedition may be New Zealand.

Because of that, Expedition Audacity probably isn't the right fit if you're simply looking for something to do during a two-week holiday.

As a general rule, we don't consider applications for less than one month. Even then, shorter placements are normally limited to coastal voyages or ocean crossings where commercial travel is practical. Our longer and more remote expeditions are reserved for crew who can commit to the entire journey.

It's a bigger commitment than most volunteer opportunities.

That's also what makes it such an extraordinary experience.

When you live and work alongside the same people for weeks or even months, it's only natural that close friendships develop.

Occasionally, something more develops too.

Expedition Audacity doesn't have a rule against relationships between consenting adults. In fact, two members of our very first crew are now married and recently welcomed their first child into the world. I'd call that a pretty successful expedition.

What we don't have room for is unnecessary drama.

Everyone aboard shares living spaces, works closely together, and depends on one another. Casual hook-ups, bed hopping, love triangles, or behaviour that creates tension within the crew have no place on an expedition. If your personal life starts affecting the mission or the people around you, one or both of you will probably be leaving the vessel at the first practical opportunity.

It's also worth remembering that we're filming a documentary about life aboard a research vessel. We won't edit footage to hide an affair or protect someone's bad decisions. If you have a partner waiting for you at home, we'd strongly suggest behaving like it.

On the other hand, if two people genuinely fall in love over the course of an expedition, treat one another with maturity, and decide they want to build a future together, you'll have my full support.

As Captain, I'd even be honoured to marry you at sea.

One thing you'll learn very quickly is that Expedition Audacity doesn't sail to a timetable.

We sail to the conditions.

That means the weather gets a vote. The ocean gets a vote. The researchers get a vote. Sometimes the whales get a vote. Occasionally an engine decides it would like a vote too.

We've had expeditions finish a little earlier than planned, and we've had others arrive home weeks later than expected. That's why you'll notice we publish a departure date, but usually only an ending month rather than a specific return day.

If your best friend's wedding is two days after you think you'll be home, there's a reasonable chance you'll be sending your congratulations by WhatsApp instead of standing beside them.

This isn't because we enjoy changing plans. It's because exploration doesn't happen on a timetable. A storm might keep us in harbour. A research opportunity may keep us in one location longer than expected. A government can change entry requirements overnight. Wildlife has a remarkable habit of ignoring the schedule we carefully prepared for it.

The people who enjoy expedition life the most aren't the ones with the most experience.

They're the ones who can smile, adapt, and say, "Well... this wasn't the plan."

Because more often than not, that's exactly where the best stories begin.

For some people, joining Expedition Audacity is something they've always wanted to do. They come aboard, have an incredible adventure, head home, and spend the next twenty years telling stories about it.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

For others, it's the beginning of something much bigger.

We've watched volunteers become expedition leaders. Students have gone on to careers in marine science, filmmaking, education, and conservation. Crew members who arrived with very little experience now help train people joining their first voyage.

Experience is one of the few things you can't buy.

Every expedition teaches you something new, and every returning crew member makes the next voyage a little stronger. You already know how we operate, you understand the rhythm of life aboard, and you can spend less time learning the basics and more time helping the mission succeed.

Of course, not everyone can come back straight away. Careers change, families grow, and life has a habit of getting in the way of even the best plans.

The ocean is remarkably patient.

We'll still be here when you're ready for the next adventure.

One of my favourite things about expedition life is watching a crew come together.

On the first day, everyone notices the differences. Different accents. Different backgrounds. Different careers. Different ages. People arrive wondering whether they're going to fit in.

By the end of the expedition, nobody really notices any of that anymore.

The marine biologist is helping the filmmaker launch a drone. The engineer is teaching a student how to splice a rope. Someone who had never set foot on a boat is making coffee for the morning watch while a retired sailor explains why yesterday's weather forecast was wrong.

That's how it should be.

I don't build crews by looking for people who all think the same or come from the same place. I build them by looking for good people who are willing to work hard, help each other, and treat one another with respect.

If you can do that, you'll fit in here.

The rest has a habit of taking care of itself.

When you accept a place aboard an Expedition Audacity voyage, you're committing to more than just your own adventure.

Research projects have been planned around the crew list. Travel has been booked. Cabins have been assigned. Equipment has been packed. Every person aboard has a role to play, and changing that plan at the last minute can affect the entire expedition.

We understand that life happens. Family emergencies, serious illness, and circumstances beyond your control will always be treated with compassion.

Choosing to leave early because you've changed your mind is something else entirely.

If you decide to end your expedition before your agreed commitment, you'll normally be responsible for any additional travel costs above what Expedition Audacity would already have paid to return you home from the scheduled end of your voyage.

In most cases, choosing to leave an expedition without a compelling reason will also mean you won't be invited to join future Expedition Audacity voyages.

We invest a great deal of time, trust, and resources into every member of the crew.

All we ask in return is that you honour the commitment you made.

Put enough people together on a boat for weeks or months and, sooner or later, someone is going to get on someone else's nerves.

That's normal.

Most disagreements are small and disappear after a straightforward conversation. If something is bothering you, speak to the person involved. Be honest, be respectful, and don't let frustration quietly build into resentment.

If you're uncomfortable having that conversation, or if it doesn't resolve the issue, come and see me or another senior member of the crew. That's what we're here for.

Problems rarely improve by being ignored. They usually become more complicated, involve more people, and are much harder to resolve than they needed to be.

We're all adults.

Talk to each other.

We'll help if you need us.

Every Expedition Audacity voyage is filmed.

Some of that footage becomes documentaries. Some is used in educational programmes, virtual reality experiences, social media, or to help share the science and stories behind our work.

If you join the crew, you should expect to appear on camera.

Most of the time, you'll barely notice it's happening. The camera crew are there to document the expedition as it unfolds, not to interrupt it. Some of the best moments happen when everyone simply gets on with the job.

You may occasionally be asked to take part in an interview or explain the work you're doing, but the expedition always comes first. If the science says it's time to work, the cameras work around the crew—not the other way around.

Before you join us, we'll explain how the footage may be used and ask you to complete the necessary media release forms, so everyone knows exactly what to expect.

If you're looking for an expedition without cameras, Expedition Audacity probably isn't the right fit.

If you're happy helping us share the story of exploration, research, and life at sea, you'll fit in just fine.