Reflections on SAIL 2025

Three Days on Water and Shore

Reflections on SAIL 2025

Three Days on Water and Shore

From August 20–24, 2025, Amsterdam came alive in a maritime celebration like no other. SAIL Amsterdam returned after a decade, marking not only the 10th edition of this grand event, but also celebrating 50 years of SAIL and 750 years of Amsterdam itself.

This year, The Ocean Movement participated in this vibrant festival, in two special locations: aboard the Vrijbuiter, and onshore with Fair Winds Collective at our shared stand on the Kop van Java, at Java-eiland. We connected with many visitors and old friends, shared our ocean mission, sold merchandise, and for the first time we unveiled our bold new Nikon banners, visible among the sail-filled horizon.

SAIL 2025: a short recap!

• A triple jubilee: SAIL 2025 was more than just the regular five-year gathering. It served as celebration for 50 years of SAIL, 750 years of Amsterdam, and the return of the festival after delays caused by global events.

• Massive scale: With thousands of visitors flocking to the IJ Harbour and surrounding areas, dozens of majestic Tall Ships and historical vessels anchored throughout the city, and a multitude of free, public activities along the waterfront.

• Accessibility and atmosphere: SAIL remains the largest free public event in the Netherlands, designed so that everyone can experience the spectacle—whether walking along the kades, exploring the Java and KNSM-islands, or watching from boats on the water.

We thank everyone who stopped by, shook hands, asked questions, bought gear, or simply listened.  SAIL 2025 reminded us that protecting the ocean isn’t just about research or boats—it’s about stories, people, and shared wonder.

A Celebration of Ocean and Community

Every five years, the world’s most majestic Tall Ships gather in Amsterdam, transforming the river IJ into a living festival of heritage, music, and maritime spirit. This year’s theme, “United by the Wave,” echoed deeply with our mission at The Ocean Movement, uniting people through a shared love of the sea and a shared responsibility to protect it.

Our participation spanned both water and shore: aboard the Vrijbuiter, and on land with the Fair Winds Collective at our stand on the Kop van Java, Java-eiland. Across these three days, we connected with visitors and fellow ocean advocates, shared our mission, sold merchandise, and unveiled our striking new Nikon collaboration banners, which stood tall among the sea of masts and sails.

Sail-In on the Vrijbuiter

Just one day before the grand Sail-In, Maarten arrived aboard the square-rigged clipper brig Morgenster in IJmuiden, ready to transfer , gear and all , to the Tjalk Vrijbuiter. But with Morgenster still outside the locks and Vrijbuiter sailing toward Beverwijk, it seemed a logistical challenge. Luckily, sailors are nothing if not resourceful. With the help of our adventurous friend Nienke, Maarten managed to track down Vrijbuiter and hop aboard as she entered the locks of Spaarndam.

The next morning, Yvonne, Josien, and Fabienne joined with our guests, and soon we set sail into a breathtaking sea of Tall Ships, clippers, and countless small boats. Captain Wiebe expertly navigated through the lively maze of vessels — and yes, we even hoisted the sails! We had planned to take a microplastic sample, but with so much traffic on the water, safety came first. Still, the sense of unity on the water made it an unforgettable moment.

At the Fair Winds Collective Stand

On shore, our stand at Kop van Java buzzed with energy. We were invited by the Fair Winds Collective, a network of sustainable sailing initiatives working together to redefine how we move goods, conduct research, and connect across oceans.

We set up beside the cargo ships Ide Min and Avontuur, both of which transport fair-trade goods like coffee, cacao, and rum under sail. Standing alongside these pioneers reminded us that traditional sailing isn’t just a relic of the past, it’s a powerful way forward for a sustainable future, whether through cargo or science.

Zooming in on Microplastics — Our Nikon Collaboration

SAIL Amsterdam also marked the official launch of our collaboration with Nikon, with the debut of our project “Zooming in on Microplastic Pollution.”

Earlier this year, we visited Nikon’s laboratory to explore their cutting-edge microscopy facilities. There, we examined microplastic samples under advanced microscopes, revealing the intricate, and surprisingly beautiful, structures of plastic particles. These detailed images became the centerpiece of our Sail banners, showing how something harmful can appear almost artistic up close. This collaboration is just beginning, and we’re thrilled to continue exploring how science and storytelling can bring visibility to invisible pollution.

Exploring New Possibilities — The SOOP Workshop on the Grayhound

the event, we also joined a citizen science workshop aboard the sailing cargo ship Grayhound, organized by Katharina Kordubel (Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon) under the umbrella of the SOOP (Shaping an Ocean Of Possibilities) network.

We learned about the Planktonscope, a compact onboard microscope that allows sailors to collect and study plankton samples at sea. After sampling with a plankton net (something we know well 😉), the Planktonscope captures microscopic images of plankton species and uploads them into a shared database, providing researchers with valuable data from rarely studied ocean regions.

This approach fits perfectly with our mission at The Ocean Movement, involving expedition members directly in hands-on science and making the invisible visible. We aim to bring a Planktonscope aboard our own expeditions soon, so we can contribute to global ocean data and inspire our crews with real-time discoveries.

If you’d like to help us make this possible, please consider donating, and help us explore and protect the ocean, one drop at a time. 💙

A Festival Beyond Sails

SAIL 2025 reminded us that ocean protection is more than science or sailing, it’s about connection. It’s about people coming together across disciplines, borders, and waves to share stories, ideas, and hope.

To everyone who visited our stand, waved from another deck, asked questions, or simply shared a smile, thank you. Together, we truly were United by the Wave.

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