Setting Sail: James Ketchell’s Journey Begins
Beyondly and NOC: Defining the true impact of ocean plastics (Phase 1)
The first chapter in our partnership with the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is setting sail - literally. Adventurer, educator, and NOC Ambassador James Ketchell is embarking on a round-the-world sailing journey with a mission: to collect vital data that will help define the true impact of ocean plastics on our planet. After months of preparation and planning, James sets sail in July.
This effort is part of our five-year partnership with NOC, launched in 2025, which empowers yacht owners to become citizen scientists by gathering water samples across the globe. These samples will then be analysed by NOC’s leading microplastics researchers, using them to grow their understanding of marine pollution, insights that traditional research alone would take decades to uncover.
James Ketchell’s journey, launching this July, will see him navigate the under-sampled waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, collecting critical microplastics data that directly contributes to the UN’s Decade of Ocean Science and Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water. If successful, he will become the first person to circumnavigate the planet by land, air, and sea, a world record made even more meaningful by its mission.
But James’s journey is about more than data; it’s about hope and education, highlighting how short-term decisions on land leave a lasting impact, particularly on our blue environment. Along the way, he’ll be stopping at schools across several continents, inspiring the next generation to love and protect our ocean through powerful stories of science, adventure, and impact.
You can follow James’s journey and track the impact of his work via NOC’s Round the World page.
Turning the Tide: From Awareness to Action in Ocean Protection
Last month, Chris Smith, Lead Consultant - Resource Efficiency & Circularity, was proud to represent Beyondly at NOC’s annual One Ocean reception at the House of Commons. Bringing together over 150 government, academic, and industry leaders, the event spotlighted the urgent need for ocean action—and the collaborative spirit driving it forward.
Our ocean plastics project with the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) powerfully echoes the message of Sir David Attenborough’s new documentary Ocean, that this is a pivotal moment for change. Just as the film showcases the fragile beauty and complexity of marine ecosystems, our initiative helps uncover the hidden threats beneath the surface, microplastics. By empowering citizen scientists like James Ketchell and supporting NOC’s ground breaking research, we’re not just raising awareness, we are driving the scientific discovery and global collaboration that Attenborough champions as essential for a healthier ocean future.
Dr. John Siddorn, NOCs Chief Executive said:
“The film’s message—that this could be the moment of change—is one we echo. With science, innovation, and hope, we can build a healthier future for our ocean.”
At Beyondly, we believe impact is magnified through partnership. Together with NOC, James Ketchell, and a community of ocean champions, we’re proving that industry and research can drive real change globally.
Stay tuned for updates from James’s voyage and the critical data we’re helping collect from oceans around the world.
Did You Know?
- Only 1% of ocean plastic is visible on the surface. The other 99% is made up of tiny microplastic fragments hidden far below.
- Tyre wear and tear from vehicles is one of the biggest hidden contributors to ocean microplastic pollution.
- Ocean currents can carry plastic debris into protected marine areas, causing unseen, practically irreversible and serious damage.
More ocean news, on Monday 9th June the UK government committed to protecting our oceans and outlined plans to ban the destructive practice of bottom trawling in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), starting with an industry consultation. The measures would help protect rare marine animals, as well as the delicate seabeds on which they rely, from indiscriminate and potentially irreversible damage.
