The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is playing its part in a special marine wildlife event this Friday, July 27.
A survey on whales, dolphins and basking sharks will take place at The Sound on Friday evening, with Cheshire Wildlife Trust working in conjunction with Manx Wildlife Trust, Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch and Sea Watch Foundation to bring a survey team to the Island, along with BBC wildlife presenter Paul Rose.
As part of the national survey of seas around the British Isles, the Steam Packet Company has arranged for the team to carry out a watch for whales and dolphins during their crossing to the Isle of Man on the Ben-my-Chree on Friday afternoon and again on the return trip on Saturday morning.
Friday evening at The Sound also sees ‘Dinner with a Dolphin’, which the public are invited to attend. This will run from 6.00pm to 9.00pm and offers the chance for the public to view the shore-based sea watch while enjoying a meal – either by taking a packed lunch, or by booking a table within the Sound Café.
Philip Cheek, Trustee of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust, said: ‘This is a great opportunity for Island residents to join us in our work, which we are doing as part of National Whale and Dolphin Watch week. It’s a really exciting event and a rare chance to work with experts such as Paul Rose, and hopefully to see some of the creatures that surf the area. We’d like to thank the Steam Packet Company for its kind assistance and support in helping bring Paul and the survey team to the Island.’
Paul, who has worked on programmes such as Coast, The One Show and Britain’s Secret Seas, will be filming with the survey team and will talk about the survey and the importance of these waters to marine life. Binoculars will be provided for a closer look at some of the species that may be spotted, such as porpoise, minke whale, and basking sharks.
Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward: ‘This should be a truly eye-opening experience for the public and a chance to observe dedicated wildlife experts and see the marine life itself at first hand. The Steam Packet Company regularly assists TV crews to visit the Island, and supports charitable concerns, and as this event combines the two, we were delighted to be able to assist in bringing Paul Rose and the survey team to the Island.’
