Reflections from the OCC Platinum Celebrations in Lagos
By Neil Chapman, S/V SUPERTAFF

I’m Neil Chapman, owner of S/V SUPERTAFF and founder of Boatshed, which I’ve had the pleasure of being at the helm of for over 25 years. It’s been fantastic to join the Ocean Cruising Club’s celebrations in Lagos, not just to connect with fellow members, but also to explore some new ideas around marine technology that could hold big potential for us as sailors.

The gathering saw 29 members from five different nations over three days, with a well-rounded schedule of events and discussions. We began with a welcoming evening at the Marina Bar, where we met up with OCC members from around the world. As you’d expect, the conversation quickly turned to boats, shared adventures, and winter plans—a perfect start, made even better by the quality and warm environment of Marina de Lagos. It’s a favourite marina of mine here in Portugal, thanks to its friendly, well-maintained facilities and welcoming team led by Martino and Ingrid, who’ve created a great atmosphere for visiting cruisers.

On the next day, we set out on a scenic walk up the hills surrounding Lagos, heading towards a local vineyard for a tasting. The views were stunning, and as we approached the vineyard, I was struck by the challenges they face there due to water shortages. This family-run vineyard, which once produced around 30,000 bottles a year, has had to cut back significantly on production. It’s a story many Algarve businesses can relate to, yet it hasn’t dampened their spirit. Despite the challenges, they’re focusing on producing high-quality wines with the limited water they have, and it was clear that their dedication to quality hasn’t wavered.
The evening was spent in a typical Portuguese restaurant in the old town and a good time was had by all.


The following morning held one of the highlights for me: a presentation by Somar, a Portuguese oceanographic and environmental organisation. They’re doing some impressive work monitoring marine life around Portugal, especially through the use of hydrophones to track and study sound in the ocean. Sound travels much further underwater than it does in air—sometimes hundreds, even thousands of miles—making it an incredibly effective way to gather data on marine ecosystems. Somar is using AI to help sort through this data, analysing the unique sounds made by dolphins, fish, crustaceans, orcas, and many other marine animals.

However, the ocean’s soundscape is complex, filled with significant background noise. This noise is generated not only by marine life but also by man-made sources like shipping, private boats, and underwater drilling, along with natural occurrences such as earthquakes. AI plays a crucial role in this research because it can sift through the enormous volume of sound data, distinguishing between the sounds of marine life and these various other inputs, each of which impacts marine ecosystems in different ways.

One of the session’s liveliest discussions focused on the orca interactions that have become increasingly common along Portugal’s coast. Several OCC members with firsthand experience shared their observations, raising questions about whether the orcas’ behaviour towards boats is playful or perhaps more aggressive. Somar’s findings suggest it’s likely a learned behaviour, specifically around sailboats, and possibly related to curiosity about rudders and other appendages. As it stands, no sound has been recorded during an actual orca encounter, and having this audio could give scientists valuable insights into the orcas' behaviours and intentions. We discussed the potential of using hydrophones to record these interactions if sailors could carry the equipment onboard—a development that could reveal what draws orcas to certain boats.

At Boatshed, we’re especially interested in how affordable hydrophone solutions, paired with AI, could become accessible to sailors. Imagine if sailors on passages around the world could help collect sound data to contribute to this broader research. With today’s technology, this is increasingly possible—essentially creating a crowd-sourced map of ocean sounds to better understand and protect marine life on a global scale.

For the Somar talk, we were also joined by 11 sailors from the Lagos Navigators, and the donations from us all raised a cool 305 Euros for the Somar organisation. After the talk, we all gathered for a celebratory lunch at the Quay Bistro. The atmosphere and food were great, with everyone keen to chat about the insights from the presentation and share ideas about what might be possible with more accessible hydrophone technology. It was another reminder of the value of these gatherings—not only for the camaraderie, but for the chance to learn and consider new ways we can contribute to the health of the ocean.

The last few days have been a memorable experience, filled with engaging discussions and a renewed sense of what’s possible when sailors come together. Many thanks to Brian Wallace, who is working to strengthen connections between the OCC, the Lagos Navigators, and Somar, and to Mads Poulsen (OCC POR) for his support. The OCC has established a positive relationship with Marina de Lagos as well, which only enhances the value of these events.

For now, SUPERTAFF, Shea, and I plan to stay here in Lagos for another week before heading south, but I’m already looking forward to the next OCC gathering and the conversations that lie ahead.

Neil Chapman, S/V SUPERTAFF
aka "Mr. Boatshed"

Link to photos
https://photos.app.goo.gl/aMXkbMUjt8nq9RNJ9