Blogger of the Day-Jimmy Truong, MSc Candidate/ Tough Tree Planter!
Montreal-Toronto Expedition
Freshwater Research and Scientific Communications Course
Crew size: 14
Jimmy Truong, MSc Candidate, collecting a water sample using a van Doorn water sampling device.Blogger of the Day:Jimmy Truong- MSc Candidate
Blogger of the Day: Jimmy Truong
MSc candidate and intrepid Tree Planter Extroardinaire
Jimmy Truong joined us on board last Saturday, only 4 days after he returned from 2 months tree planting in Northeastern Ontario.
This fall, Jimmy will be returning to the University of Toronto to begin his Masters of Science program, under the advisement of fellow Sea Dragon crew member, Paul Helm.
Read today’s blog to find out how Jimmy will use his experience aboard Sea Dragon to supplement his future research on Great Lakes contaminants.
The Montreal – Toronto expedition is unique in that it has 3 renowned fresh water scientists onboard who have enriched the experience for us.
Professors Sam Mason and Bill Edwards lead a class on the history of the Great Lakes Ecosystem
Today we learned about the “industrial heritage” of the Great Lakes – Saint Lawrence Waterway, which is a PC way of saying that these waters were once, and still are the waste yard for human progress and excess. Dr. Bill Edwards gave us a brief history today about the formation of the Great Lakes, touching on their misuse and maltreatment after the creation of the canals and locks and the use of pesticides and fertilizers.
These waterways were crucial in the division of British and American territories during the war of 1812, and important for the economic development of this region. The region was once full of shipbuilding, fishing and manufacturing industries that left their traces in the contaminant profiles of the lakes.
What stuck with me from this talk was what we learned about the topography of the lakes. All the water from the higher Great Lakes drain in to the St. Lawrence and into the Atlantic Ocean. This was impressionable because Lake Ontario, having the lowest elevation, receives drainage from all the other lakes through Niagara Falls. This means that in addition to all the runoff that goes into Lake Ontario, there are additional contaminants from the drainage of the other lakes, which makes Lake Ontario one the dirtiest of the Great Lakes. This was troubling to learn for me because I’ve lived along the shore of Lake Ontario my whole life and have swam in its waters since I was a child.
Depth Profile of the Great Lakes Ecosystem, showing the drainage towards Lake Ontario. Image courtesy of Ohio's Department of Natural Resources Website.
This brief lecture brought me back to why I hopped on board the Sea Dragon. I came here to learn more about Dr. Mason’s sampling techniques for micro plastics, but also to collect my own samples to do preliminary tests on Organophosphate Flame Retardants (OPFRs) in the Great Lakes.
Organophosphates have been a major concern in the past when they were used as pesticides and leeched into our waterways. They are currently being used as a replacement for recently banned and controlled Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE) flame retardants.
Flame retardant sources inside the home. Image taken from sourcewatch.org.
Sea Dragon begins to transit the locks of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
The history of the Great Lakes shows the incredible ingenuity of man with the construction of dams and locks. It also demonstrates the lack for foresight of the unforeseen consequences to progress. Opening up the Great Lakes to the ocean allowed in invasive species such as the zebra mussel that have caused irreversible damage to the Great Lake ecosystem.
We see this lack of foresight into the future today in the microplastics that Dr. Mason has found as well as with the unraveling story of the OPFRs making their way into our water.
This journey is about discovery but also one of hope. In order to fix our mistakes we must discover them and find ways to mitigate them. I hope that the work we are doing here on the Sea Dragon will serve as an example that more studies need to be done on chemical products and their replacements, before they are deployed.
As the mounting evidence that microplastics from face exfoliants and replacement flame retardants are being washed into our waters, we need to realize that industry and government need to follow the precautionary principle to make sure that we keep our waters clean. I hope that our scientific work and the advocacy and educational programs that Pangaea Explorations does can educate the public about the consequences of our petrochemical dependent lifestyles and that we should demand more from chemical industries and more government regulation.
Stepping aboard with little sailing experience can feel like a leap into the unknown, but it often becomes the start of something unforgettable.
Every expedition is an opportunity to build practical skills, gain confidence through hands-on experience, and discover what life at sea is really like. With guidance from an experienced crew and the chance to learn each day on the water, every mile becomes part of the journey.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're honored to have been part of your adventure, and we hope to welcome you back on board for another voyage soon. 🌊
#Panexplore #SailTheWorld #DreamTravel #OceanAdventures #SailingInstagram
True peace isn't found by standing still; it's discovered out where the sky meets the sea.
Step aboard and experience an extraordinary hands-on ocean voyage designed to clear your mind and challenge your spirit.
No prior sailing experience required 🌊
Secure your spot for our next departure at www.panexplore.com
#Sailing #FoilingTechnique #SailingLife #LagoDiGarda #Panexplore
The ocean brings people together, but our incredible crew and skippers make it an unforgettable home. Hear what some of our guest crew members have to say about their hands-on adventures aboard SV Sea Dragon. Ready to write your own sea story? ⚓
See upcoming departure dates at www.panexplore.com
#TravelTestimonial #SailingCrew #BucketListTravel #GratefulSkipper #Panexplore
The Bay of Biscay is not for everyone. 🌀
It's famous for keeping sailors on their toes, and sometimes reminding them exactly who's in charge.
The waves get bigger, the deck gets livelier, and hanging onto your coffee becomes a genuine skill. But for those who embrace the challenge, it's also one of the most rewarding stretches of water to cross.
On the bright side, smooth crossings make for terrible stories anyway!
#Panexplore #LifeAtSea #ExpeditionSailing #TrySomethingNew #SailFarLiveBold
The person who's always planning the next trip.
The one who says yes before they've figured everything out.
The one who's probably already looking at a map while you're reading this.
Tag them below.
#Panexplore #AdventureTravel #BucketListAdventure #ExploreMore #SailingAdventure #LifeAtSea #TravelCommunity #OceanAdventure
Ever wondered what offshore sailing actually feels like day to day? Offshore sailing has a rhythm that surprises most people when they experience it for the first time.
Here are three things that often stand out once you’re out on passage:
1️⃣ It can feel colder than expected, even in summer
Out at sea, constant wind exposure and little shelter mean it often feels colder than on land. Even in warmer months, wind chill and spray make layering essential.
2️⃣ Life runs on a 24-hour watch system
The vessel is always underway, so the crew rotates through watches day and night, covering steering, navigation, lookout duties, and monitoring conditions.
3️⃣ Everyone is part of running the boat
Offshore sailing is shared work. Crew members rotate through helming, sail handling, navigation logging, cooking, and general upkeep, learning by doing throughout the voyage.
Together, these elements define what offshore sailing really is, structured, active, and very different from traditional travel at sea.
#Panexplore #SailTheWorld #OffshoreLife #SailingTips #SailingInstagram #SailTrip
Mornings at sea have their own rhythm ☀️
After the early planning and preparation, the day eases into something slower. Breakfast onboard, shared conversations, and the simple comfort of starting the day together on the water...
It's a moment of quiet pause before the ocean takes over again.
And no, we're not sponsored by Nutella.
#Panexplore #Sailing #adventure #SailingInstagram #breakfast
SV Sea Dragon doing what she does best.
Some places are unforgettable.
Some journeys are too.
#Panexplore #SeaDragon #SailingAdventure #LifeAtSea #OceanLife #AdventureTravel #ExploreMore #YachtLife
At sea, every system onboard plays a role in shaping how an expedition is experienced.
We’re pleased to highlight RYSE Energy and their Silent Air Blade turbine technology, designed to deliver renewable power in a refined, low-noise format suited to remote and offshore environments.
Built for reliability where conditions are constantly changing, these turbines support cleaner, more self-sufficient energy generation without disrupting the natural soundscape of life at sea.
It’s partnerships like this that quietly strengthen the way modern expeditions operate, bringing together performance, sustainability, and a lighter footprint in the places we explore.
#Panexplore #Sailing #adventure #SailingInstagram #windturbines
A first ocean experience is something that stays with you long after you step back on land.
At Panexplore, every voyage is built around safety, learning, and shared time at sea. With an experienced crew supporting each step of the journey, guests are able to grow their confidence on the water while feeling fully supported throughout the expedition.
We’re grateful for the trust placed in our team, and even more grateful for the connections formed along the way. 🌊
#Panexplore #SailTheWorld #DreamTravel #OceanJourney #OceanAdventures #SailingInstagram
Sometimes the hardest part isn't the ocean crossing, the night watch, or learning something new.
It's deciding to start.
There will always be reasons to wait a little longer, learn a little more, or put it off until the timing feels perfect.
But the people who end up crossing oceans, spotting whales from the deck, and waking up in places most people never see usually have one thing in common:
At some point, they stopped thinking about it and went.
#Panexplore #GoSailing #AdventureTravel #LifeAtSea #SailingAdventure #TrySomethingNew #ExploreMore #OceanLife
Flame retardant sources inside the home. Image taken from sourcewatch.org.
