Exploring the seabed
Searching for ghost nets
Protecting marine ecosystems

Sonar mapping • ROV exploration • Ghost net recovery

Our Impact at Sea

Using sonar technology, ROV inspections, and field operations, we locate and recover ghost fishing gear while documenting underwater hazards. The results below reflect our work during expedition missions at sea.

85+

DAYS AT SEA

30+

SURVEY SITES

12000+

METERS OF NETS FOUND

30000+

FISH SAVED

The Problem

Ghost Fishing Gear

Every year thousands of fishing nets, traps, and longlines are lost at sea.These “ghost nets” continue fishing indefinitely — trapping fish, turtles, dolphins, seabirds, and other marine life.

Our expeditions combine technology, field operations, and collaboration with conservation partners.

Ghost Sailing was created to help address this issue by:

• locating ghost fishing gear using sonar scanning
• documenting underwater hazards
• assisting recovery and removal operations
• supporting environmental research initiatives
• raising awareness through public documentation

From Detection to Recovery

Using side-scan sonar, underwater ROVs, and recovery operations at sea, we identify and document ghost fishing gear on the seabed.

Seabed Scanning

We conduct seabed surveys using side-scan sonar to detect underwater structures and potential ghost fishing gear. Sonar allows us to map large areas of seabed and identify targets such as: ghost nets, abandoned fishing traps and lost fishing gear.

ROV Inspections

Remotely Operated Vehicles allow us to inspect sonar targets safely and efficiently. ROV deployments allow us to visually confirm ghost fishing gear, document underwater environments, inspect deep or hazardous locations, evaluate removal possibilities.

Ghost Net Recovery

Where possible, we assist in the removal of ghost fishing gear through collaboration with local environmental organizations. Recovery operations focus on removing abandoned nets, documenting biological impact and preventing further marine entanglement.

In 5 days, we typically retrieve ~100 ghost nets — over 1 km of fishing gear. We clean and document the nets on site, then prepare them for recycling.

Operational Regions

Baltic Sea & Inland Waters

  • Estonia — 2017–2026
  • Sweden — 2017–2019, 2024
  • Germany — 2017–2019
  • Poland — 2017–2019, 2026
  • Lake Peipus (Estonia) — 2023–2026

Mediterranean Sea

  • Corsica (France) — 2023–2026

Upcoming Field Operations

Baltic Sea

  • Latvia — 2026
  • Roja, Latvia — 2026

Mediterranean Sea

  • Corsica — 2026
  • Marseille — 2026
  • Toulon — 2026

About The Founders

Ghost Sailing was founded by Xena and Maido, combining expedition logistics, marine operations, and environmental project work.

Maido is a commercial diver and certified ROV instructor with extensive experience in vessel operations, underwater expeditions, and technical diving logistics.

Xena leads project development and field documentation, coordinating partnerships, reporting, and communications for environmental initiatives.

How we operate
We currently work from partner and rented vessels (from small boats to large work platforms), allowing us to mobilize quickly for surveys, inspections, and recovery operations.

Together, we created Ghost Sailing to combine marine technology, field operations, and collaboration with conservation partners to locate, document, and—where possible—recover ghost fishing gear.

Why Become a Sponsor

Supporting Ghost Sailing isn’t just a donation — it’s a partnership built on real impact and real stories.

Turn impact into a story
Fund a real cleanup and show exactly what changed — with real footage and reports

Move beyond “eco” claims
Support ocean cleanup transparently and build trust your audience can actually see.

Create content that matters
Real expeditions, real problems, real solutions — no staging, no greenwashing.

Contribute your way
Support with funding, equipment, media, or expertise — directly accelerating the mission.

Align your team with purpose
Give your people something real to stand behind — not just another campaign.

Join early, stand out
The first names are the ones that stay.
Not because they were many — but because they were first.

How to help us remove ghost nets from the oceans?

Companies, organizations, and individuals who believe in protecting the ocean are welcome to collaborate with us or support our work through partnerships and sponsorships that help fund real ghost gear recovery missions.

Merchandise

Wear the mission

Buying our merchandise directly supports our expeditions, equipment, and field work. Every shirt helps fund fuel, sonar scans, and ghost-net recovery operations.

  • Premium Ghost Sailing apparel
  • Helps fund real cleanup missions
  • Wear the message: Leave Nothing But a Whisper
Coming in 2026!

Patreon

Join the mission

Become part of the Ghost Sailing community and help make expeditions possible. Patreon supporters help fund research dives, sonar mapping, and documentation of ghost gear.

  • Support real ocean cleanup work
  • Get behind-the-scenes updates and expedition stories
  • Help us launch future missions
Become Patreon

Sponsorship

Fund real impact

Organizations, companies, and individuals can sponsor expeditions, cleanups, research operations, or equipment used to locate and remove ghost fishing gear.

  • Sponsor cleanup operations
  • Support technology, boats, and expeditions
  • Make your brand matter
Become Sponsor