Whales. Researchers. You?

Join the Marine Education and Research Society trip with our researchers - Saturday September 24, 2022 departing from Port McNeill.

Bill and Donna Mackay, of Mackay Whale Watching in Port McNeill, have graciously donated a trip, providing us with a significant fundraising opportunity and the chance to share our research in person with you.

The excursion will be ~6 hours long, aboard the Naiad Explorer, with highly experienced crew including pioneer whale watching captain Bill Mackay, AND there will be two MERS Humpback Whale researchers aboard.

MERS team members Christie and Jackie will share details about our nearly 20 years of research on Humpback Whales and allow you to experience what it is like to observe, study and identify these animals. Please note, this will not be a regular whale watching trip and we will not try to maximize the number of species seen. While we will of course view and share information about other species, the primary focus will be on Humpback Whales.

At this time, registration is only available to those who deferred their payment for the cancelled 2020 MERS Fundraising Trip (please see the email sent to you on March 29^th or contact us at info@mersociety.org).

Additional seats will become available in early June. Stay tuned!

Cost per person is $350. All funds raised will go directly to MERS Education, Research and Response work. Lunch TBD.

Please note: The trip may be deferred to September 25th if weather is an issue on the 24th. All registrants will be notified within a week of the trip if any changes are to occur.

Check in will be at the Mackay Whale Watching office between 9 and 9:15 am at 1514 Broughton Boulevard. We will then proceed to the Naiad Explorer which is moored near the gas dock for the safety talk and introductions. We will return to the dock between 3:30 and 4.

See www.whaletime.com for photos of the Naiad Explorer and further details about Mackay Whale Watching. The vessel has interior heating and indoor and outdoor seating. There is an onboard washroom.

Maximum group size will be 25 supporters + 2/3 MERS researchers + Mackay Whale Watching crew.

COVID Protocols: We will be reducing the number of the people on the trip to allow for better spacing. As public health mandates are continually changing with the evolving pandemic, we ask that all registrants be able and willing to show proof of vaccination and wear a mask (unless a valid medical exemption is provided) if the COVID situation warrants these measures at the time of the trip. We will clearly communicate our finalized COVID protocols for this trip in early September.

Trip tips:
Please bring your own water bottle. 
Dress in layers. 
Bring binoculars. 

Whales. Researchers. You?

Join the Marine Education and Research Society trip with researchers - Saturday October 8^th, 2022 departing from Campbell River.

Campbell River Whale Watching have graciously donated a trip, providing us with a significant fundraising opportunity and the chance to share our research in person with you.

The excursion will be ~6 hours long, aboard the MV Tenacious III, with highly experienced crew AND there will be two MERS Humpback Whale researchers aboard.

MERS team members Christie and Jackie will share details about our nearly 20 years of research on Humpback Whales and allow you to experience what it is like to observe, study and identify these animals. Please note, this will not be a regular whale watching trip and we will not try to maximize the number of species seen. While we will of course view and share information about other species, the primary focus will be on Humpback Whales.

At this time, registration is only available to those who deferred their payment for the 2020 MERS Fundraising Trip (please see email sent to you on March 29^th or contact us at info@mersociety.org). 

Additional seats will become available in early June. Stay tuned!

Cost per person is $350 and includes lunch, also sponsored by Campbell River Whale Watching.

Please note: The trip may be deferred to October 9th if weather is an issue on the 8th. All registrants will be notified within a week of the trip if any changes are to occur.

Check in will be at the Campbell River Whale Watching office between 9 am and 9:15 am at E Dock at the Discovery Harbour Marina and then we will proceed to the MV Tenacious III for the safety talk and introductions. We will return to the dock between 4 pm and 4:30 pm.

The vessel has interior heating and indoor and outdoor seat. There are walk-around decks and onboard washroom.

Maximum group size will be 20 supporters + 2 MERS researchers + Campbell River Whale Watching Captain and Naturalist.

COVID Protocols: We will be reducing the number of the people on the trip to allow for better spacing. As public health mandates are continually changing with the evolving pandemic, we ask that all registrants be able and willing to show proof of vaccination and wear a mask (unless a valid medical exemption is provided) if the COVID situation warrants these measures at the time of the trip. We will clearly communicate our finalized COVID protocols for this trip in early September.

Trip tips:
Please bring your own water bottle. 
Dress in layers. 
Bring binoculars.