It’s not the first time that participants of the Cetacean Sanctuary Research aboard the Pelagos have amazed us.
Their kindness, their sensitivity to environmental issues, and sometimes even their surprising knowledge of the sea and its inhabitants never fail to impress us. And when they don’t already know much, they make up for it with an incredible curiosity and eagerness to learn.
The CSR 12 cruise, held from 11 to 17 August 2025, surprised us in a special way — with its unmistakable artistic spirit: sketchers, photographers, and… poets!
Each year, new faces bring fresh energy on board, joining us in our shared mission to better understand and protect the whales and dolphins of the Mediterranean.
A heartfelt thank you to all participants, this year and in the past ones. Without you, our work to study and safeguard the marine mammals of the Mediterranean simply wouldn’t be possible.
Ballad of the Pelagos and the sea
Upon the blue where dolphins play,
We sailed at dawn one golden day,
With Tethys’ crew and hearts set wide,
The Pelagos began to glide.
The pilot whales in silent grace,
Encircled us—a soft embrace,
Their calves would leap, their voices sing,
A hymn of deep and sacred things.
Striped dolphins danced in curling foam,
As though they knew this boat was home,
They raced the bow with shining eyes,
Beneath the vault of endless skies.
A turtle slid beneath the blue,
So calm, so slow, just passing through,
While tuna flashed in fleeting flight—
False hope beneath the searing light.
Then came the whale—majestic, vast,
Time itself seemed slow to pass,
The Pelagos and watchers still,
He met us with a curious will.
Gasps and tears upon the deck,
No words could shape what happened next—
A breath, a blow, a mighty dive,
And hearts so full they came alive.
The storm then called us back to shore,
Yet laughter rang forevermore,
With music, tales, and food divine,
We shared our souls, we shared our time.
The cutting club, at dusk and dawn,
With joy and recipes was drawn,
We chased the Risso’s far and wide—
They played their tricks and chose to hide.
One night we rocked in secret coves,
Like cradled babes the ocean holds,
While moonlight danced on waters still,
Our dreams afloat, our spirits filled.
We dove into the Med’s cool grace,
Each splash a hymn, each swim a trace,
Of wonder, awe, and something more—
A world worth fighting to restore.
No word or phrase can quite convey,
The magic shared that sacred week,
But hearts left full, with love anew,
For sea, for life, for all that’s true.
So thank you, Tethys, skies and tide,
The Pelagos, our ocean guide—
We carry now within our core.
Orla Reilly
