Press Releases
DARWIN200 homecoming Falmouth & London with Royal visit from HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
Through the power of adventure, science, and education, the DARWIN200 voyage has united nations and generations in a shared vision for a more sustainable planet
says DARWIN200 founder Stewart McPherson.
Global conservation voyage DARWIN200 aboard historic Dutch tall ship Oosterschelde is making its way home and will arrive back in the UK to Falmouth Harbour at 12:00 noon on Saturday 19th July 2025 at the end of its incredible journey inspired by the legendary route of HMS Beagle, the ship that carried Charles Darwin on his life-changing voyage in 1831.
Join friends and family to welcome them at Falmouth Harbour – Oosterschelde will dock at Port Pendennis Marina, Challenger Quay.
Falmouth was the homecoming port of HMS Beagle, where Charles Darwin returned in 1836 after his five-year voyage that would change the course of science. Nearly 200 years later, the return of the Oosterschelde to Falmouth marks a powerful full-circle moment. This symbolic conclusion to the DARWIN200 global voyage honours Darwin’s legacy and shines a light on the environmental leaders now carrying his mission forward.
Since setting sail from Plymouth, UK, in summer 2023, the beautifully restored Dutch schooner Oosterschelde has become a symbol of hope and action and will have sailed 43,000 nautical miles, visiting 31 ports, and training over 105 outstanding young environmental leaders – known as Darwin Leaders – from 46 countries, handpicked for their passion and potential to protect the planet.
Between ports, more than 600 guest crew – ranging from adventure travellers to environmental researchers – have joined the professional crew to sail the ship.
DARWIN200 has reignited global interest in Darwin’s legacy, not only by visiting the same iconic locations he once explored, but by catalysing real-time conservation efforts along the way.
In each port Darwin Leaders spent a week working with local NGOs and conservation experts to study endemic species including many that Darwin documented during his expedition including looking at how the population has changed over the last two centuries, its current conservation status and existing threats; evaluating ongoing conservation efforts and carrying out novel research and investigative work to develop new ideas for action to ensure that their chosen animal or plant species has a brighter future. Around 100 species and ecosystems have been studied – from sea turtles to the Darwin Toad – with photos, films and essays produced and made available to the general public to learn more.
Thousands of schoolchildren have stepped aboard Oosterschelde in ports across the globe. Many more have joined day sails or tuned in remotely to “The World’s Most Exciting Classroom” – a dynamic weekly public series of live educational broadcasts on Youtube that have brought science, exploration and environmental action to life for classrooms in every corner of the planet.
Oosterschelde is a three mast tall ship, and one of the world’s finest, fully restored historic tall ships and the largest sailing vessel ever to be restored in the Netherlands. She is registered by the Dutch Government as a monument of great cultural and historical value. With countless achievements under her belt throughout the DARWIN200 journey, including an official rounding of the infamous Cape Horn, her homecoming isn’t just the conclusion of a voyage – it’s the launch of a global conservation legacy.
MEDIA CALL DETAILS
The press and public are warmly invited to witness maritime history as Oosterschelde sails into harbour at midday on Saturday 19th July, greeted by local dignitaries, families of the crew, members of the global DARWIN200 community and general public. A celebratory event will honour the extraordinary achievements of the ship, her crew, and the hundreds of young environmental leaders trained during the mission before she departs on July 21st for a victory sail to London’s Tower Bridge, and departing for a homecoming voyage to the ship’s homeport in Rotterdam July 29th.
SATURDAY 19th JULY 2025, 12PM MIDDAY FALMOUTH
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Capture the arrival into Falmouth Harbour (the project will have broadcast film and video available to share on request) / option to join a chase boat on request.
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Press are welcome on board between 13:00 hrs and 17:00 hrs. Also, press can come to the Welcoming Party from 18:00hrs.
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Interviews with Darwin200 project founder and director Stewart McPherson
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Interview with ship’s Captain and managing director Gerben Nab
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Interviews available with Darwin Leaders (UK / international)
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Interviews with Andrew Darwin descendant of Charles Darwin
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All interviews dockside, or onboard by arrangement – via zoom if required
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Media invitation to the evening event
MONDAY 21st JULY – Ship Departs Falmouth for London
FRIDAY 25th JULY – Media Invited
From 08:00am to 10:00 (earlier slots for breakfast TV on request) – Private media tours available by appointment. VISIT FROM HRH DUKE OF EDINBURGH commences at 11:00am – media involvement by appointment.
Monday 28th JULY – Open Ship for Public Location: Oosterschelde
Times:
10:00–13:00
14:00–17:30
Meet the crew, explore one of the world’s most famous tall ships, and discover the story of DARWIN200. Free entry. No booking required.
TUESDAY 29th JULY – Ship Departs London to Rotterdam
DARWIN200 Patrons and supporters include Dame Jane Goodall, Dr. Sylvia Earle and Dr. Sarah Darwin, Charles Darwin’s great-great-granddaughter.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: STUDENT VOTE TO NAME A NEW CRICKET SPECIES ON RAPA NUI
Students around the world are invited to help name a newly discovered marine cricket species found on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Five names—chosen by local students—are now open to a global vote. The Rapa Nui student who submitted the winning name will receive a $1,000 scholarship. The winning name will be announced live from the ship in London on July 25th @ 2:00pm UK time/9:00am eastern! Tune in live or catch the recording: https://youtube.
Discovered in lava tube caves and along rocky shorelines, this small (under 15 mm) cricket—belonging to the genus Pteronemobius—may be endemic to the island and threatened by invasive species. The Darwin200 expedition collected specimens as part of its mission to document and protect global biodiversity.
Voting Options:
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Pteronemobius rikiriki: Meaning “really small”
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Pteronemobius himeneohiva: “Song of the Hiva”—evoking the cricket’s call
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Pteronemobius vaemeamea: Refers to the cricket’s red hind legs
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Pteronemobius himeneotepo: “Song of the night”
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Pteronemobius rapanui: Honours the island’s uniqueness
Vote and share with students at: www.Darwin200.com
Full list of the DARWIN200 Darwin Leader Project areas of study for which there are available high quality narrative, photos, interviews and films:
Coastal habitats, endemic birds, pilot whales, thermophilic vegetation, Tenerife forest, green turtles, endemic plants, plastic pollution, sharks and rays, sea birds, the lost gecko, leatherback turtles, invasive species, spinner dolphins, octopus, sharks, rhodoliths, underwater acoustics dolphins, Guiana dolphins behaviour, sea turtles, Atlantic rain forest, howler monkeys, Guyana dolphins, golden lion tamarins, Turtle City; hope in Cagarras Islands, sea turtles, Darwin toad, sandy beaches, sharks, plastic pollution, riparian forest, grasslands, coastal lagoons, Patagonian puma, owls, Patagonian shrublands, Patagonian steamer duck, Tussac birdlife, Tussac grass, shorebirds, mink impacts, Magellan kelp forests, huemul deer, migratory birds, whale and dolphins, Selk’nam people, Peale’s dolphins, Chilean dolphin, sea otters, feral dogs, urban wetland, Beyond the oil spill, octopus, manta rays, Machu Picchu cloud forests, blue headed macaw, vanilla, giant tortoises, Galapagos sea lions, finding the balance between plant species in the Galapagos, sea turtles, marine iguanas, Galapagos native tomato, mangroves, invasive tree frogs, the valuable waste of Galapagos, rays, beetles, seabirds, soil rehabilitation, micro plastics, Polynesian lorikeets, Fijian cicade, sharks, sea urchin imbalance, Maori ocean garden, bittern, seagrass, regent honeyeater, corroboree frog, koala, platypus, greater gliders, sharks and rays, sea turtles, estuary, marine mammals, tall trees of Tasmania, African penguin, invasive carp, bontebok, fynbos, ceder tree, baboons, Cape fur seals, sea turtles, Cape vultures, great white sharks, carnivorous plants.
https://www.dutchtallship.com/
ENDS –
Social media: DARWIN200 on Instagram, X, Facebook, Lin
Social media: Oosterschelde on Instagram, Facebook, YouTub
Alice Dogruyol +44 7939031030 alice.dogruyol@
Larissa Clark info@thischapter.co.uk /
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