Every now and then we learn about someone who is making a difference while at the same time pursuing a life changing adventure. Meet Freeranger’s crew: Duncan Copeland and Larissa Clark, along with their two children, Eden and Skye. Aboard Freeranger, you’ll find both adventure and citizen science. Since launching in 2023, the family has turned their 50-foot Beneteau into a mobile platform for conservation, contributing open-ocean data across the Pacific while helping others do the same. In the past 18 months they have sailed over 13,500nm, with their children (now 9 and 7) aboard, from BC to New Zealand via USA, Mexico, Pitcairn Islands, French Polynesia, American Samoa, Samoa, Wallis and Fiji, arriving in early 2026 in Auckland. You can read more about these BCA members here: “Cruising Update from Freeranger” and “Citizen Science Adventures at Sea“.
Because of their citizen science work, the family is being presented the Ocean Cruising Club’s (OCC) 2025 Environment Award. This recognition is for the work the family has undertaken to set-up an Ocean Citizen Science Directory, an open-access platform connecting sailors and ocean users with credible marine science projects worldwide. Though it is still uncertain where the award will be presented, plans are in place for Northlands, New Zealand, in May 2026, before Freeranger casts off for the 2026 South Pacific season.
As noted in the OCC press release on February 6, 2026, the Copeland/Clark mission “centres on ‘Adventure Science,’ utilising their global voyages from the Pacific Northwest to French Polynesia and New Zealand to collect vital data for multi-institutional researchers. On a recent 3,900 nautical mile transpacific crossing, they contributed to over half a dozen citizen science initiatives, focusing on ocean plastic tracking, marine mammal observations, and coral reef health.” Larissa states, “The OCC has long championed seamanship, curiosity and responsible voyaging. To be acknowledged for environmental leadership within that circle means a great deal — particularly because sailors are uniquely placed to witness the health of our ocean first-hand.”
From towing neuston nets offshore to reporting sightings of marine mammals, seabirds and fisheries activity, the Freeranger crew hopes to demonstrate how everyday voyagers can meaningfully support marine research. Their free, open-access Ocean Citizen Science Directory makes it simple for cruising sailors, coastal communities and recreational ocean users to participate in practical, marine research initiatives wherever they are.
To learn more and to track Freeranger’s progress, check their website, and for more information on OCC and the Copeland/Clark presentation, check out the OCC website.
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