Jo Royle
Joins the expedition for week 1, 2, 3 and 4
Jo Royle, 31, is an internationally recognised ocean sailing skipper, who has sailed as far north as Iceland and south to the Antarctic. In 2004 she circumnavigated South Georgia, where she witnessed first-hand the detrimental effects of human – influenced climate change.
Through her sponsorship and a partnership with environmental NGO, Earthwatch, Jo motivated Pindar to embark on a five-year environmental change management program. She has skippered a number of transatlantic crossings, including the Pindar Volvo 60 and the Pindar Class 40 entry in the infamous two-handed Transat Jacques Vabre race in 2007.
Most recently Jo project managed the fit out and launch of the Plastiki, a vessel designed and built to showcase sustainable boat building. Jo was the Plastiki expedition skipper, taking the vessel, which floated on 12,000 reused plastic drinks bottles, with four novice crew, from San Francisco to Sydney.
Alongside her ocean advocacy work, she has recently completed an MSc in Environmental Science and Society at the University College London.
Jo’s next campaign will see the build of a high performance expedition yacht showcasing sustainable design and technologies. This vessel will form a platform to take young people, scientists and artists to work with communities living in areas vulnerable to the affects of climate change- with the united goal to increase the percentage of marine protected areas globally.
Jo has been awarded the 2010 RSGS Patrick Geddes Environmental Medal and the 2010 Red Hot Woman Award for inspiring women in the Ethical/ Environmental Category.
