F.a.q.
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The Jonian Dolphin Conservation Research Association is a scientific research, non-profit organization.
All those who participate in our activities will become associates. You will receive a card with
your ID number before boarding. The subscription is not binding, however, it gives you the
chance to be classified as supporters of the JDC and TO access a range of services reserved to
members only. The program ‘Researchers for a Day’ is part of the recreational and cultural activities
exclusively dedicated to our members, and your contribution supports our monitoring activities, the
works, and the maintenance of the Taranto Dolphin Sanctuary, the first refuge for dolphins rescued
from captivity in the Mediterranean.
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Your kind contribution, in addition to allowing us to collect useful data for the protection of cetaceans
on the day of your participation to our research activities, gives us the opportunity to continue our studies during the winter seasons, when people are not accompanying us out at sea. During those periods, we organize scientific expeditions such as the Ionian Fin Whale Project, as well as free events that are open to everybody. Our goal is to raise awareness on the crucial importance of the protection of our sea. Asking for a discount would mean taking away from the funds that our group needs to carry on its activities all year round.
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Think about your journey as if you were going on a boat with a small group of
friends. What would you like to have with you? We have sufficient space to stow your
backpacks, so you should mostly worry about the needs of your children. You can avoid bringing heavy
bottles of water, as soft drinks are available on board, and included in your
contribution.We can no longer offer a buffet lunch on board so guests should bring packed lunch. Other items that may help: cameras, memory cards,
additional binoculars, sunscreen, hat or visor. A jacket or a windbreaker is a
good idea if you are not coming in the hot summer months.
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It depends on the season. Usually, in the summer, you can come in shorts and T-shirt,
whereas in the winter you should dress as if you were going on a trip in the snow.
A good rule for a dress code on boat is to wear multiple layers of clothes. Even in the summer at times, we may run into some colder currents. In the summer we are usually barefoot (don’t worry, we deep clean our boat at the end of each trip). You can bring your socks, or neoprene booties, the important thing is that they are not shoes that have walked on the street. Do not forget your bathing sui.
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Dolphins are wild animals, and as such, our presence in their territory may appear threatening or disruptive, causing them to behave in unpredictable and possibly dangerous ways. This could therefore jeopardize our own safety.
The Jonian Dolphin Conservation’s primary goal is that of protecting both the animals in the water and ensuring your own safety, and respecting the dolphins natural habitat is therefore paramount. For these reasons, we do not allow any swimming near the dolphins. Our ethos is to observe and to study them from the boat without directly interfering or interacting with their natural movement and behavior.
Moreover, due to liability reasons, the Jonian Dolphin Conservation does not permit any swimming from the boat(s) during the excursion at sea. Our service is that of providing a dolphin watching experience only.
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Yes, there is a nice spacious bathroom downstairs, located below deck. It is down a few stairs, and you must be able to climb down a short boat ladder – three steps – to get to it. There is also a sink with fresh water. The important thing to remember is that you cannot throw any thing in the toilet. There are also toilets on the ground to be used before boarding.
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Fortunately, this portion of the Gulf of Taranto allows us to remain
in visual contact with the coast while sailing in the waters of three regions: Apulia
Basilicata and Calabria. Usually, we never go over the 12 NM, but it all depends on where
we find our cetacean friends. In a day of sailing, we average 50 NM.
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It only depends on you. Our catamarans are designed to offer maximum safety. On board we also provide life jackets for the little ones. Generally, children younger than 3 might get bored, as it is not easy for little persons their age to spend 5 or 6 hours on a boat. It still remains a wonderful experience, that teaches the “adults of tomorrow” to love and respect the sea. We are always happy to accommodate children of all ages.
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We usually leave the dock at 10.00 a.m. and it is advisable to arrive 30 minutes prior
to departure. If you have booked independently through the site, filled out
the information requested, and paid online, you will find your cards ready without having to wait.
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The spaces on the catamarans were designed to allow a wheel chair to move freely. The only obstacle will be the access to the bathroom, as, for this type of boat, the toilet is located below deck and is accessed via a marine ladder. Please do contact us directly if you need further information.
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At the sole discretion of the Captain of the boat, activities may be canceled prior to
departure. In this case, you can choose alternative dates, depending on availability. Those who are on vacation and will not be able to choose an alternative date will be refunded at no additional cost. Normally, we avoid going out if weather conditions are not favorable in order not to be forced to return earlier due to the roughness of the sea.
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A reservation can be canceled without fees, and with a full refund, if you inform us within
48 hours from the departure date. However, after that, we will have to charge you the full amount. In case of emergency reasons preventing you to be on board, please contact us within a reasonable amount of time and we will try our best to find a solution to accommodate everyone. It is important that we do not create discomfort to other passengers.
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Then you will have lived a great adventure! 6 hours on board our beautiful boat, sailing along the
stunning Pugliese-Calabrese-Lucana coast, taking in the fresh sea air! In addition, to contributing
to have to the research and protection of Ionian cetaceans!
For your next trip, we will offer you a 50% a discount, and if we do not see any dolphins on your
second trip, then the third tour will be completely FREE, and will continue to be
until we discover where they have been hiding.
This is, however, extremely rare. Keep in mind that our catamaran has been encountering
cetaceans on 90% of our trips.
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Absolutely! Because catamarans have two hulls, they are more stable and do not
oscillate from side to side like a traditional mono-hull vessel. There is ample space on board
with enough seating for everyone. Two 75 HP Volvo Penta engines provide enough power, in case the the weather conditions we to change unexpectedly, to reach a speed up to 20 Knots (cruise speed
ranges around 8-10 Knots). On board we have safety equipment for a higher number of passengers than the maximum number allowed. We also have more places on our lifeboat rafts than the maximum number of persons on board.
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The nearest parking lot is located in the square in Via Porto, just opposite the entrance to the
Molo Sant’Eligio, in Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. Otherwise, a large parking area
is located in Piazzale Democrito, along Via Napoli, and it is a 3 minute walk from the pier.
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Our departure point is at the Molo Sant’Eligio, in Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, in the old part of Taranto. Come down to jetty number 1.
Inside the pier you will see signs for IMBARCO TARAS. Wals along the marina, pass the American Bar, our Reception is located right across from the loading dock.
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The unique trait of our activities is to “take advantage” of your presence on board. We need your help to
collect useful data that we will analyze to implement the protection of cetaceans of the Ionian Sea. We involve our guests in everything we do. Not only will you spend a memorable day at sea. Will also feel the excitement that comes from being involved in each phase of our research, form the sighting on top of the turret, to the data collection. During all activities, our knowledgeable crew of researchers, who have been passionately studying these cetaceans for years and have pledge to protect them and their environment, will be available to answer all of your questions and offer all the information you need.