Public Boat Trip Aboard the R/V Marcelle Melosira

Join Lake Champlain Sea Grant and UVM Extension staff aboard the new state-of-the-art vessel, the Marcelle Melosira to learn about Lake Champlain in this two-hour tour. 

Lake Champlain Live will provide participants with an opportunity to learn about and try their hands as limnologists (i.e., those who study freshwater ecosystems like lakes, rivers and streams). Following an interactive introduction to the geology and formation of the Lake Champlain basin and the lake, participants will learn about biological, chemical and physical measurements limnologists make to improve our understanding of the lake, its watershed, and our impacts on them.

Participants will engage in activities such as towing for and identifying plankton and monitoring water clarity. 

Additional Information:
Cost: $30 per person. We are committed to educating as broad of an audience as possible through these on-lake trips. The participation fee covers the cost of fuel and personnel time. A limited number of scholarships are available for those with financial constraints. Please contact seagrant [at] uvm.edu to inquire about this option if interested.

Trip Policies:

• Please arrive at the dock a minimum of 15 minutes prior to the time of your reservation. Parking is available on site. The vessel will leave at the scheduled departure time so plan accordingly. 
• Passengers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult (minimum age is 8; sorry no exceptions).
• Passengers must wear closed-toe shoes.
• To attend a trip, online registration in advance of the trip is required. 

Accessibility:

Be aware that access to the boat will require climbing a ladder up and down. If you require an accommodation related to a disability, please contact Accessibility Services at least 2 weeks prior to your selected date by emailing seagrant [at] uvm.edu, or calling (802) 777-9130. 

Cancellation Policy: 

• Cancellations must be made more than 1 week before your scheduled trip departure to be eligible for a refund.
• No-shows are responsible for 100% of trip fees.
• Trips will go on unless there is extreme weather (e.g., lightning storms, wind) in the area. The Lake Champlain Sea Grant staff and boat captain will do their best to decide whether a trip will go out within 12 hours of the trip.

What to Bring: 

Participants should come prepared with rain gear, sun hats, sunscreen, warm clothes (it can be significantly colder on the water than on the land), water, and closed-toe shoes. Note that wearing closed-toe shoes is a safety requirement and therefore is not optional. Everyone participating (or parents/guardians) will need to sign a liability waiver before boarding the boat.

Learn more and register.