Get on board!

 

Scientists, environmentalists, movie makers, engineers, communicators, change-makers, movers, and shakers wanted!

We welcome anyone from any background to come to join our crew during our summer expeditions. We are looking for energetic, enthusiastic people who are aligned with our mission and the expedition for which you are applying in a personal way.

2026 Volunteer Applications Open Now *

2026 Volunteer Applications Open Now *

2026 Expedition Opportunities

  • The Rozalia Project and team are heading to Downeast Maine to continue digging into our derelict fishing gear removal efforts. This expedition will take us to remote islands in the region, where we will work to collect, catalog, and remove fishing gear and other coastal debris. If you want to get gritty, dig into data collection, trap recycling, learn more about the derelict fishing gear challenges in the Gulf of Maine, and make an impact to clean up our oceans, this is the trip for you!

    Departure Port: Bar Harbor, Maine (expedition begins)

    Arrival Port: Bar Harbor, Maine (expedition ends)

  • This expedition will take us to remote islands in the region, where we will work to collect, catalog, and remove fishing gear and other coastal debris. If you want to get gritty, dig into data collection, trap recycling, learn more about the derelict fishing gear challenges in the Gulf of Maine, and make an impact to clean up our oceans, this is the trip for you!

    Departure Port: Rockland, Maine (expedition begins)

    Arrival Port: Rockland, Maine (expedition begins)

  • Calling all marine scientists! Do you need an opportunity to get your hands salty and sandy in a field-based research setting? While this expedition will focus on microfiber and Microplastics sampling and processing, you can also bring your own research questions. This trip is specifically aimed at helping marine scientists fill in any field-based gaps in your experiential resume. This expedition is appropriate for early or mid-career scientists as well as those considering a lab-to-field-based transition. 

    Departure Port: Rockland, Maine (expedition begins)

    Arrival Port: Rockland, Maine (expedition begins)

Apply Now

Volunteer

Our volunteer program provides a unique opportunity to work with a diverse group of ocean lovers. Although we focus on marine debris, we like to tackle the protection of our ocean from various angles. You do not need to have previous experience sailing, although that is a bonus! Come join our fantastic crew aboard American Promise, and help us create solutions for plastic pollution.

Group of seven people standing on a rocky beach, raising their arms and smiling. They are wearing outdoor clothing and hats, with a body of water and forested land in the background.

FAQs

  • We like to fill the boat with people who are a variety of ages, and from a variety of academic, professional and geographic backgrounds. We do take a few undergrads on each expedition, but like to have people from their 20’s to 60’s all working together to share experiences, knowledge and perspectives to find solutions to the problem of marine debris!

  • Breakfast and review game plan. Run a data cleanup analyze the data and discuss the results. Lunch. Continue data cleanup, analyze the data and discuss the results. Discussion and/or presentation with local community members or work on behavior change games and brainstorm solutions. Dinner. Solution brainstorm, de-brief the day, get ready for the next day. Enjoy the sunset and if we’re lucky, check out the bioluminescence.

  • You must be over the age of 18. Volunteer crew will not be paid, however, we will give you a great place to sleep, vegetarian food and some sweet Rozalia Project gear. You are responsible for getting yourself to and from the boat at the beginning and end of your time with us. You must sign our Participation and Volunteer agreement and waiver, as well as have your own health insurance.Known resistence to seasickness is a plus. Our work work will be physically demanding, so keep that in mind.

Person collecting plastic bottles amidst a large pile of discarded plastic waste outdoors.
People wading in a river with kayakers and lush green trees and hills in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Three men are on a sailboat, adjusting the sail as they sail on open water during the daytime. They are wearing casual boating clothes and hats, with the sky clear and blue.
A sailboat on the ocean with two people on board, sailing through blue waters on a sunny day.
People on a sailboat, some wearing blue jackets and white hats, enjoying a day at sea with the wind filling the sails.
A group of six smiling people standing outdoors among trees, participating in a community cleanup effort, with large bags of collected trash in front of them.
Group of people on a rocky beach, one person holding a bundle of ropes, with a collection of buoys in the foreground, trees and ocean in the background under a clear blue sky.
A woman cleaning up trash on a rocky shoreline by the water, with scattered litter and debris among green vegetation and rocks.
A group of five people smiling and sitting in a black inflatable boat on a body of water, holding large white demo bags, with a shoreline and houses in the background.

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Our Work