When our founder, Martin Daly, first chose the Marshall Islands as the place to drop the anchor and establish Beran Island the worlds most exclusive watersports resort, one factor stood above all the rest—the extraordinary, pristine nature of the environment. Healthy populations of marine life, vibrant coral walls, crystal-clear water, untouched atolls, and, of course, the perfect reef surf that has become part of the Indies Trader DNA made the decision an easy one. It’s also why our operation has been run on renewable energy since day one.
Years later, that decision continues to be validated. The Marshall Islands remain one of the last truly wild marine environments on Earth, a place where healthy reef ecosystems still thrive and nature exists much as it has for centuries. From sharks, turtles and giant trevally to flourishing coral reefs and abundant seabird populations, these islands represent a rare glimpse of what a healthy tropical ocean should look like.
If there is a global authority on the natural world, National Geographic would undoubtedly be at the top of the list. Through its internationally renowned Pristine Seas initiative, National Geographic has been working to explore, document and help protect some of the world’s last healthy marine ecosystems. Their recent expedition to the Marshall Islands highlighted the exceptional ecological value of these remote atolls, reinforcing what we’ve known since the very beginning—that the Marshall Islands are one of the planet’s true natural treasures and a place worth protecting for future generations.
The Pristine Seas team documented the remarkable biodiversity both above and below the water while working alongside local communities, scientists, and conservation partners. Their work not only shines a spotlight on the importance of the Marshall Islands but also helps support long-term conservation efforts across the region. To watch the programs they produced and learn more about the Pristine Seas project, head over HERE.
ISLAND CONSERVATION
In a country as small and interconnected as the Marshall Islands, everyone is joined together in one way or another. That’s why we were especially pleased to support our friends at Island Conservation, who are on an expedition to the country’s northernmost islands to continue their ground-breaking conservation work.
Island Conservation has been leading efforts to remove invasive rats (Read about it HERE) from remote islands—an initiative that has proven transformative for the Marshall Islands’ ecosystems and something we have been supporting for a few years now. Introduced rodents have long threatened native seabirds by preying on eggs and chicks, but with their removal, bird populations have begun to recover, restoring natural ecological processes that benefit the entire island environment. Healthy seabird colonies return valuable nutrients to both the land and surrounding reefs, creating stronger, more resilient ecosystems from the forest canopy right through to the coral reefs.
The eradication process uses drones to deliver a baited grid across the effected island and has shown how techonology can address conservation issues. The system is from the good folk at Provision New Zealand and a pretty impressive operation.
Above: The Island Conservation team’s home away from home.
As you read this, the MV Indies Trader is making her way north once again to collect Paul Jaques and the Island Conservation team as they wrap up another successful expedition. In true Marshall Islands fashion, the voyage is serving more than one purpose. Alongside the conservation mission, we’ve loaded approximately 10 tonnes of supplies from the Utrik Local Government, which will be delivered to the community on the atoll before bringing the team home.
Above: Supplies that have headed out to Utrik Atoll aboard MV Indies Trader.
Below: Captain Spink setting a course for the northern reaches.
Our good friend Captain Dick Spink is leading the mission aboard the Indies Trader, continuing a tradition that has always been at the heart of what we do—connecting remote communities, supporting meaningful conservation projects, and helping protect the remarkable natural environment that first brought us to the Marshall Islands all those years ago.
If you would like to come and experience the beauty of the Marshall Islands from the comfort of Beran Island’s luxe surrounds head over HERE.
WHERE’S WINDWARD?
Our Senior Skipper, Chris Abrahams, has been performing a masterclass in logistics this week as the entire Indies Trader fleet prepared to head back to sea. As if coordinating multiple vessels wasn’t enough, he also had to contend with the severe weather that preceded a typhoon which formed in the Marshall Islands before tracking westward.
Typhoons are among the most powerful and destructive weather systems on Earth. Historically, storms that develop in this region can travel thousands of kilometres across the Pacific before making landfall anywhere between the Philippines and Japan. At the time of writing, forecasting models indicate this particular system is on course to make a direct impact on Taiwan.
Fortunately, one of our founder Martin Daly’s recent initiatives proved invaluable. His decision to participate in the development of a small marina and protected boat basin in partnership with a local company paid off in spades. While much of Majuro’s waterfront descended into marine chaos, every Indies Trader vessel remained safe and secure. Elsewhere, yachts were washed ashore, larger vessels sustained damage while rafted alongside one another, and power lines were brought down by the storm.
With the weather now behind us, Chris and the MV Windward are departing on a multi-atoll charter with our friends at the International Organization for Migration (IOM). As the United Nations agency dedicated to promoting safe, orderly, and humane migration, IOM works closely with governments and communities around the world to strengthen resilience, support disaster preparedness and response, and improve the lives of vulnerable populations.
This latest voyage will see the team travelling throughout the remote atolls of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to install and upgrade vital radio communications equipment in small outer island communities. Reliable communications are a lifeline for these isolated islands, providing essential links during medical emergencies, severe weather events, and natural disasters, while also helping communities stay connected with government services and one another. It is critical infrastructure that strengthens resilience across the nation, and we’re proud that the MV Windward and her crew can play a part in supporting this important work.
To connect for a chat and understand more about how we can help with commericial marine projects in any part of the Pacific head over HERE.
