In September, In Mocean co-founder Nike visited Project Manaia, an ocean conservation initiative run by Manuel and Pinar. Their work unfolds aboard Waya Waya, a 21-meter research vessel that sails through the Mediterranean from April to September. Students, researchers, and ocean lovers join them for two-week expeditions to contribute to ongoing science projects or to pursue their own research ideas.
One of their focus areas is tackling marine litter and the impact of plastic pollution. The crew organizes weekly clean-ups — both on land and underwater — and over time, they’ve collected plenty of plastic waste to experiment with turning it into something new.
And that’s where our collaboration began roughly two years ago.
Bringing Mobile Recycling Machines to the Mediterranean
As part of this partnership, In Mocean has equipped Waya Waya with two mobile recycling machines:
- a shredder, which turns plastic caps into colorful flakes,
- and an extruder, which heats up those flakes to mold them into new products.
During the visit, Nike could get a first-hand impression of how these machines are used on board — how the crew integrates them into their routines, what works well in their setup, and what we can learn from their experience to better support our other fleet members in the future.
It was inspiring to see the two angles of their work:
- A workshop for the volunteers on Waya Waya
This kindles curiosity among researchers and students, showing them how plastic waste can become a valuable material and sparking deeper interest in recycling. - A workshop for local organizations during an open boat event in Malta
Here, local collaboration partners like RitualDive, Sharklab, and Zibel came on board to exchange thoughts and ideas about ocean conservation on the island. Gatherings like these can spark interest in local initiatives to move from clean-up activities toward the next step: developing local recycling solutions.
Zibel is a great example — they’re currently exploring ways to integrate recycling into their conservation work. We were excited to exchange some thoughts about different machine set ups during their visit onboard Waya Waya and look forward to follow their project updates.
Turning Waste into Purpose: Pegs, Carabiners & Creative Takeaways
For the workshops, the crew had already collected plenty of plastic bottle caps during their clean-ups. Together, we transformed them into:
- carabiners — now trusted travel partners to clip reusable water bottles onto backpacks or paddle boards,
- clothes pegs — nifty helpers for drying travel towels along the railing,
- small baskets — unique handmade pieces that volunteers could take home as memories of their time on the expedition.
Seeing these items emerge from what was once trash is magical. Each object carries a story: collected during a clean-up, recycled at sea, and given a new purpose in someone’s hands.
Connecting Beyond Screens
After two years of collaboration from afar, meeting Manuel in person was a true highlight. His and Pinar’s dedication is visible in everything Project Manaia does — from organizing weekly clean-ups to running scientific surveys, maintaining their research vessel, and safely sailing their changing crews across the Mediterranean.
People like them are the heart of our Recycling Fleet. In Mocean thrives because of members who share their knowledge, involve local communities, and inspire others to take part in ocean conservation in their own unique way.
We’re deeply grateful for their commitment.
Join the Next Season on Board Waya Waya
Looking for a meaningful way to spend your next vacation? Or searching for a floating base to carry out your marine conservation research? Bookings for Project Manaia’s 2026 season are now open. A research vessel, a passionate crew, and a shared mission for clean and healthy oceans — maybe that’s where your next adventure begins.
