A pioneering sailing expedition starting and finishing at the University of Plymouth’s Marine Station will see a diverse group of women — including scientists, artists, film-makers, business-women, psychologists, ocean activists and experienced sailors — sample the UK’s waters for plastic pollution.

The voyage, being co-ordinated by community interest company eXXpedition, is scheduled to take 30 days; it will incorporate high-profile awareness-raising events in Plymouth, Cardiff, Belfast, Arran, Stornoway, Edinburgh and London.

eXXpedition specialises in all-women sailing trips with a focus on highlighting the impact of single-use plastic on the planet’s oceans, its ecosystems and human health.

This voyage will see the 72ft yacht Sea Dragon (owned by Pangaea Exploration) leaving the Marine Station on 7 August
and return on 5 September.

eXXpedition co-founder Emily Penn said: “After years of studying ocean plastics all over the globe, I am so excited to be bringing this project to the UK. The more time I spend at sea, the more I realise that the solutions start on land. We need to expose these issues and raise consciousness of the work to be done to solve them here in the UK.”

The University of Plymouth is a world leader in marine litter research, while its Marine Institute is home to around 3,000 academics and students, working in areas including marine conservation, coastal science, marine policy and maritime business.

eXXpedition is crowdfunding for out-reach activities at the ports to be visited (www.crowdfunder.co.uk/exxpedition-round-britain). All the sailing costs are being covered by crew contributions