Refit and Outfitting
Overview
The 71 foot (21.6 meter) sailing vessel "Wild Justice", a proven blue water vessel with a circumnavigation pedigree, is being refitted to serve as a dedicated mobile ocean conservation, research, and education platform capable of operating safely and efficiently in coastal and offshore environments. The refit focuses on upgrading onboard systems, safety, scientific capability, and habitability to support marine wildlife monitoring, and experiential education at sea.
This refit transforms Wild Justice from a general offshore sailing vessel into a mission-aligned conservation asset, capable of supporting multi-week expeditions, research partnerships, volunteer engagement, and real-world environmental data collection with minimal ecological footprint.
"Wild Justice" is on a long term loan agreement from it's owner to Blue Ocean Sailing Expeditions. For more information contact Blue Ocean at the address below.
Sailing Vessel "Wild Justice" 71' Angelo Lavranos Design
"Wild Justice" sailing the Sydney Australia to Hobart race in 1988.
A proven blue water vessel, she's fast with a strong Kevlar fiberglass hull. She has survived numerous storms at sea, and circumnavigated the globe 3 times.
Outfitted for 8 to 10 crew and passengers, she's a perfect platform for longer excursions under sail. In the right conditions she boasts a top speed of 24+ knots.
Her next mission is to be a reliable platform for ocean conservation, research, and the rescue of sealife. An appropriate mission for a sailing vessel with her pedigree.
Purpose & Conservation Rationale
Marine ecosystems face increasing threats from climate change, vessel traffic, entanglement hazards, plastic pollution, and habitat degradation. Many of these impacts occur far from shore, in areas that are difficult and costly to monitor using traditional research vessels.
The "Wild Justice" refit addresses this gap by enabling:
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Low-emission, low carbon footprint, sail-powered access to sensitive and under-studied marine regions
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Extended offshore endurance for monitoring and observation
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Rapid deployment to areas of emerging environmental concern
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Hands-on education and public engagement in real marine environments
By refitting an existing vessel rather than commissioning a new build, the project emphasizes sustainability, resource efficiency, and adaptive reuse.
Scope of Refit
Conservation Mission Upgrades
Operational Impact
Upon completion of the refit, Wild Justice will be capable of:
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Supporting marine wildlife monitoring expeditions
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Conducting ocean pollution and debris observation
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Hosting education-at-sea programs
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Partnering with researchers, universities, and conservation organizations
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Operating in coastal and offshore environments with reduced environmental impact
The vessel becomes a multipurpose conservation asset, adaptable to evolving research and education needs.
Alignment with Funding & Conservation Priorities
The Wild Justice refit aligns with:
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Priorities of marine ecosystem monitoring, marine mammal protection, low-impact research platforms
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NSF broader impacts: experiential education, public engagement in science, workforce development
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Private foundations: ocean conservation, climate resilience, sustainable operations, education
The refit directly supports field-based conservation outcomes, not administrative overhead.
Conclusion
The refit of Wild Justice represents a strategic investment in long-term ocean conservation capability. By upgrading an existing offshore vessel for dedicated conservation use, Blue Ocean Sailing Expeditions & Exploration strengthens its ability to protect marine ecosystems, support research, and educate future ocean stewards—while maintaining responsible, low-impact operations at sea.
Wild Justice will serve not just as a vessel, but as a platform for action, discovery, and stewardship on the open ocean.