All-female yacht crew set to end journey round UK's coast which aimed to highlight problem of plastic in our seas

A YACHT expedition led by an all-female crew around the UK’s coast is set to come to an end.

The eXXpedition Round Britain sail saw a diverse group of women sample the waters for plastic pollution and raise awareness through a series of events, which included stops in Arran and Edinburgh.

The crew was made up of scientists, students, artists, filmmakers, business women, psychologists, ocean activists and sustainability professionals, who range from first-time to experienced sailors.

The Sea Dragon yacht set sail on August 8 from Plymouth, with the groundbreaking journey taking 30 days to complete.

The expedition will return to the harbour it set off from early next week and will be followed up by a series of events based around environmental issues.

Recovered plastic (Agathe Bernard / eXXpedition)

On September 4 there is a screening of ‘A Plastic Ocean’, followed by a panel discussion, at Plymouth Arts Centre at 18:00.

Then on September 5 at 10:00, the Muddy Fingers group will run a workshop on marine litter at National Marine Aquarium Pontoon, Sutton Harbour.

There’s also a beach clean, as well as shore labs and ecology workshops in partnership with the Devon and Cornwall Children’s University, starting at the University of Plymouth’s Marine Institute.

eXXpedition, the Community Interest Company behind Round Britain, specialises in all-women sailing trips with a focus on highlighting the devastating impact single-use plastic and toxics from land-based activities are having on our planet’s oceans, ecosystems and on human health.