Seasearch Training

ALL COURSES ARE CURRENTLY BEING RUN ONLINE VIA ZOOM. We do not know when it will be possible to resume face-to-face courses.

Whether you have taken part in marine recording project before or not you can add to your knowledge and experience by taking part in one of our training courses. Four types of Seasearch training are currently available:

Seasearch Observer - for divers/snorkellers new to marine recording in British and Irish waters

Seasearch Surveyor - for experienced recorders who want to increase the value of the results

Recorder Workshops - mentoring and support for all recorders

Special Interest Courses - a range of ID and techniques courses for people who want to expand their knowledge 

Seasearch Observer

This is a one-day course aimed at giving divers & snorkellers new to the project and new to marine recording a basic grounding. At the end of the course you should be able to complete the Seasearch Observation Form and take part in Seasearch dives/snorkels either on your own, with your club or on dives organised by Seasearch partners (the latter when covid restrictions permit).

During the course you'll learn about Seasearch - its aims, history and achievements, a basic introduction to the variety of marine life in British and Irish waters, recognising and classifying marine habitats, position fixing, and how to fill in the Observation Form. The day concludes with a 'video dive' and an opportunity to fill in a form without even getting wet!

The course includes a course pack and identification guides and recording slates are available to purchase giving you everythng you'll need to go ahead and get started. The tutors are all divers themselves and keen Seasearchers.

A real dive isn't a part of the course but usually one is arranged locally for you to practice your techniques with a tutor on hand. Where two days are shown in the list below the course usually takes place on the first day with diving on the second.

At the end of the course you'll get a Seasearch Qualification booklet. Once you have completed 5 forms for real (two on dives with a tutor available to help) you can get signed up as a Seasearch Observer.

Here is what one participant thought of the course "Most enjoyable. Wish I had done something like this years ago!" (October 2009)

Dates for Observer Courses are beginning to appear for 2021. We try to run the courses early in the year so that people have the maximum time to be out and recording, but autumn/winter courses are also arranged. Additional courses will be added if/when there is sufficient demand. We can also organise courses for clubs and dive centres. Contact National Coordinator Charlotte Bolton: info@seasearch.org.uk or your nearest Seasearch co-ordinator if you would like to arrange for a course to be run for your club. To book onto one of the courses below please contact the organiser listed (or use the online booking link where available).

Booking form (doc format) for courses and survey dives

Seasearch Contacts

Seasearch Shop