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Our code of Conduct
It is our mission to
provide our guests with an experience which helps them learn about, respect and
enjoy Southwest Ireland’s pristine coastal environment and abundant wildlife,
and to conduct our tours in a precautionary manner to prevent harm or impact to
the marine environment and its wildlife. The captain and crew of the
MV Atlantic Explorer have been trained to observe the following,
We will always operate
our vessel safely in accordance with national, and local regulations with due
care for our passengers, other vessels and the environment.
We will conduct an
accurate, informative, quality interpretation program about the marine
environment and the wildlife of Ireland.
 We will operate our vessel in a manner that does not disturb marine mammals,
change their
behaviour, cause disruption of their social groups, or make them leave an area.
We will reduce vessel speed whenever we intentionally approach within 400 metres
of whales, or seals which are hauled out of the water.
We will not pursue or
chase whales or cut across their paths, but will approach slowly from the side
or rear quarter, and then parallel to the animal’s direction of travel.
When whales are within
100 metres of our vessel we will allow the animals to completely control the
interaction, operate our vessel with due caution, and not attempt to get closer.
We will minimize vessel noise and manoeuvring in the vicinity of wildlife,
and we will limit our viewing time with an individual or group of animals to 30
minutes or less. We will exercise caution when approaching seabirds on land or
in the water.
We will give bird congregations on the water as wide a berth as is practical. We will communicate
with other vessels positioned in close proximity to wildlife we are viewing, to
coordinate vessel movements and to reduce the potential for disturbance.
We will encourage our
passengers to assist us in this mission, by asking them to minimize noise and
sudden movement on deck when the vessel is in close proximity to wildlife, and
to make sure that nothing is tossed, dropped or blown into the water.
What the
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