One of the best things I've done - whale surveyor

Volunteer surveyors monitor the route between Penzance and St Mary's, including Terry Carne (on the right)

A volunteer surveyor who spots wildlife on a ferry route named the best for seeing marine life says the role is "one of the best things I have done in my life".

Terry Carne, from Newquay, in Cornwall, has been a volunteer surveyor for charity ORCA since 2018. He said he had seen a range of marine species on the Scillonian III route, between Penzance and St Mary's, on the Isles of Scilly.

"I have met such a lot of lovely people and made some really good friends, I even married one of them," said Mr Carne.

He said the role allowed him to do something he loved and contribute "something really useful" to help protect animals.

Common dolphins are some of the more likely animals that can be seen from the Scillonian III

He said: "There is always an air of excitement setting off from Penzance, the possibilities of what we might see, probably close up common dolphins but always the possibility of something rarer.

"Sightings this year have included Risso's dolphins and tuna, there is a real possibility of seeing whales, including minke whales and the world's second largest animal, the fin whale.

"A good friend once even saw a leatherback turtle on an ORCA survey heading back from the Isles of Scilly."

ORCA said marine mammal surveyors on the Scillonian III route had conducted 15 surveys between March and November 2024.

"It's a way for me to see the things that I enjoy watching, but also, you know, at the same time to feel that you are contributing something really useful," he said.

Mr Carne said ORCA's surveys allowed him the the opportunity not only to see these animals, but to know he was making a positive contribution to their future.

In 2019, Mr Carne met his wife on an ORCA sea safari.

His wife Charlotte Carne said: "Not many people can say that whilst participating in a scientific social event that they met their future husband and best friend at sea surrounded by whales and dolphins.

"Being part of ORCA means being able to make a difference to our seas for future generations to enjoy, and by meeting like-minded people sharing the same objective - we aim to see our seas alive with whales, dolphins and porpoises."

Mr Carne said at a given time there were three volunteer surveyors looking for species - one on the port side, one on the bridge and one on the starboard side.

The route has for the third year been named the UK's highest diversity ferry route for wildlife spotting by the charity.

ORCA said its data helped to make recommendations for better protection for wildlife and that its experts were "actively involved in high-level global forums to safeguard marine mammals and their habitat".

Volunteers from all over the UK take part in surveys on the Scillonian, Mr Carne said.